Politics ought to be adjusted not to human reasonings but to human nature, of which reason is but a part and by no means the greatest part.

The science of constructing a commonwealth or renovating it, or reforming it, is...not to be taught a priori...That which in the first instance is prejudicial may be excellent in its remoter operation, and its excellence may rise even from the ill effects it produces in the beginning. The reverse also happens; and very plausible schemes, with very pleasing commencements, have often shameful and lamentable conclusions.

Men have no right to what is not reasonable, and to what is not for their benefit.

The men of England,- the men, I mean, of light and leading in England.

Refined policy ever has been the parent of confusion, and ever will be so as long as the world endures. Plain good intention, which is as easily discovered at the first view as fraud is surely detected at last, is of no mean force in the government of mankind.

We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us.

Public calamity is a mighty leveller.