What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

The most common and durable source of faction has been the various and unequal distribution of property.

[It] is indispensable that some provision should be made for defending the Community agst [against] the incapicity, negligence or perfidy of the chief Magistrate.

Nothing could be more irrational than to give the people power, and to withhold from them information without which power is abused.

The express authority of the people alone could give validity to the Constitution.

Experience has instructed us that no skill in the science of government has yet been able to discriminate and define, with sufficient certainty, its three great provinces the legislative, executive, and judiciary; or even the privileges and powers of the different legislative branches.

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy.