An entire life of solitude contradicts the purpose of our being, since death itself is scarcely an idea of more terror.

History is a pact between the dead, the living, and the yet unborn.

Those who quit their proper character to assume what does not belong to them are, for the greater part, ignorant both of the character they leave and of the character they assume.

Manners are of more importance than laws. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe.

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

The parties are the gamesters; but government keeps the table, and is sure to be the winner in the end.

General rebellions and revolts of a whole people never were encouraged now or at any time. They are always provoked.