All virtue which is impracticable is spurious.

Religion is among the most powerful causes of enthusiasm.

Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants.

Evils we have had continually calling for reformation, and reformations more grievous than any evils.

It is very rare, indeed, for men to be wrong in their feelings concerning public misconduct; as rare to be right in their speculations upon the cause of it. I have constantly observed that the generality of people are fifty years, at least, behind in their politics.

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.

The tribunal of conscience exists independent of edicts and decrees.