War is the matter which fills all history; and consequently the only, or almost the only, view in which we can see the external of political society is in a hostile shape: and the only actions to which we have always seen, and still see, all of them intent, are such as tend to the destruction of one another.

Man acts from adequate motives relative to his interest, and not on metaphysical speculations.

Make the Revolution a parent of settlement, and not a nursery of future revolutions.

The method of teaching which approaches most nearly to the method of investigation is incomparably the best.

The moment that government appears at market, the principles of the market will be subverted.

Liberty does not exist in the absence of morality.

Where two motives, neither of them perfectly justifiable, may be assigned, the worst has the chance of being preferred.