Prudence is a quality incompatible with vice, and can never be effectively enlisted in its cause.

We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us.

The essence of tyranny is the enforcement of stupid laws.

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

The distinguishing part of our constitution is its liberty. To preserve that liberty inviolate, is the peculiar duty and proper trust of a member of the house of commons. But the liberty, the only liberty I mean, is a liberty connected with order, and that not only exists with order and virtue, but cannot exist at all without them. It inheres in good and steady government, as in its substance and vital principle.

The liberty I mean is social freedom. It is that state of things in which liberty is secured by the equality of restraint. A constitution of things in which the liberty of no one man, and no body of men, and no number of men, can find means to trespass on the liberty of any person, or any description of persons, in the society. This kind of liberty is, indeed, but another name for justice.

I am convinced that we have a degree of delight, and that no small one, in the real misfortunes and pain of others