In a democracy the majority of citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority...and that oppression of the majority will extend to far great number, and will be carried on with much greater fury, than can almost ever be apprehended from the dominion of a single sceptre. Under a cruel prince they have the plaudits of the people to animate their generous constancy under their sufferings; but those who are subjected to wrong under multitudes are deprived of all external consolation: they seem deserted by mankind, overpowered by a conspiracy of their whole species.

Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.

I would rather sleep in the southern corner of a little country churchyard than in the tomb of the Capulets.

Good order is the foundation of all things.

The most favourable laws can do very little towards the happiness of people when the disposition of the ruling power is adverse to them.

There is nothing that God has judged good for us that He has not given us the means to accomplish, both in the natural and the moral world.

It is by bribing, not so often by being bribed, that wicked politicians bring ruin on mankind. Avarice is a rival to the pursuits of many.