The great Error of our Nature is, not to know where to stop, not to be satisfied with any reasonable Acquirement; not to compound with our Condition; but to lose all we have gained by an insatiable Pursuit after more.

They [Americans] augur misgovernment at a distance and snuff the approach of tyranny in every tainted breeze.

Learning will be cast into the mire and trodden down under the hoofs of a swinish multitude.

He who calls in the aid of an equal understanding doubles his own; and he who profits by a superior understanding raises his powers to a level with the height of the superior standing he unites with.

He that borrows the aid of an equal understanding doubles his own; he that uses that of a superior elevates his own to the stature of that he contemplates.

Though ugliness be the opposite of beauty, it is not the opposite to proportion and fitness; for it is possible that a thing may be very ugly with any proportions, and with a perfect fitness for any use.

The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please: we ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations.