I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital punishment.

if the people are to be our governors, they must arm themselves with knowledge.

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.

The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State governments, in times of peace and security.

[I]t is more convenient to prevent the passage of a law, than to declare it void after it has passed.

A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.