A democracy is a volcano which conceals the fiery materials of its own destruction. These will produce an eruption and carry desolation in their way.

Liberty has never lasted long in a democracy, nor has it ever ended in anything better than despotism.

The gentleman puts me in mind of an old hen which persists in setting after her eggs are taken away.

[O]ur sages in the great [constitutional] convention... intended our government should be a republic which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism. The rigours of a despotism often... oppress only a few, but it is the very essence and nature of a democracy, for a faction claiming to oppress a minority, and that minority the chief owners of the property and truest lovers of their country.

Time never fails to bring every exalted reputation to a strict scrutiny.

We are not to consider ourselves, while here, as at church or school, to listen to the harangues of speculative piety; we are here to talk of the political interests committed to our charge.

I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law.