What havoc, said I to myself, would these manners make in America! Our governors, our judges, our senators or representatives, and even our ministers, would be appointed by harlots, for money; and their judgments, decrees, and decisions, be sold to repay themselves, or, perhaps, to procure the smiles of profligate females.

In general, our generals were outgeneralled.

I had heard my father say that he never knew a piece of land run away or break.

Power must never be trusted without a check.

When public virtue is gone, when the national spirit is fled the republic is lost in essence, though it may still exist in form

Human government is more or less perfect as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from the imitation of this perfect plan of divine and moral government.

I must study war and politics so that my children shall be free to study commerce, agriculture and other practicalities, so that their children can study painting, poetry and other fine things.