If the people are happy, united, wealthy, and powerful, we presume the rest. We conclude that to be good from whence good is derived.

Liberty does not exist in the absence of morality.

Toleration is good for all, or it is good for none.

An extreme rigor is sure to arm everything against it.

In effect, to follow, not to force the public inclination; to give a direction, a form, a technical dress, and a specific sanction, to the general sense of the community, is the true end of legislature.

It is better to cherish virtue and humanity, by leaving much to free will, even with some loss of the object , than to attempt to make men mere machines and instruments of political benevolence. The world on the whole will gain by a liberty, without which virtue cannot exist.

Government is the exercise of all the great qualities of the human mind.