Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.

In effect, to follow, not to force the public inclination; to give a direction, a form, a technical dress, and a specific sanction, to the general sense of the community, is the true end of legislature.

Taxing is an easy business. Any projector can contrive new compositions, any bungler can add to the old.

One that confounds good and evil is an enemy to good.

No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.

All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing as they must if they believe they can do nothing. There is nothing worse because the council of despair is declaration of irresponsibility; it is Pilate washing his hands.