Guilt was never a rational thing; it distorts all the faculties of the human mind, it perverts them, it leaves a man no longer in the free use of his reason, it puts him into confusion.

The use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a moment; but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again; and a nation is not governed, which is perpetually to be conquered.

The tribunal of conscience exists independent of edicts and decrees.

Religion is the basis of civil society, and the source of all good and of all comfort.

There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings; but none when they are under the influence of imagination.

Whenever our neighbour's house is on fire, it cannot be amiss for the engines to play a little on our own.

Ambition can creep as well as soar.