I cannot help concurring with the opinion that an absolute democracy, no more than absolute monarchy, is to be reckoned among the legitimate forms of government.

In their nomination to office they will not appoint to the exercise of authority as to a pitiful job, but as to a holy function.

Nothing so effectually deadens the taste of the sublime as that which is light and radiant.

Whatever each man can separately do, without trespassing upon others, he has a right to do for himself; and he has a right to a fair portion of all which society, with all it combinations of skill and force, can do in his favor. In this partnership all men have equal rights; but not to equal things.

Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.

Power, in whatever hands, is rarely guilty of too strict limitations on itself.

Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners and civilization, have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles: I mean the spirit of a gentleman, and the spirit of religion.