The study and practice of law ... does not dissolve the obligations of morality or of religion.

The frightful engines of ecclesiastical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calvinistical good-nature never failed to terrify me exceedingly whenever I thought of preaching.

We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands: we have a check upon two branches of the legislature, as each branch has upon the other two; the power I mean of electing at stated periods, one branch, which branch has the power of electing another. It becomes necessary to every subject then, to be in some degree a statesman: and to examine and judge for himself of the tendencies of political principles and measures.

I didn't grow up imagining myself as an opera composer. Only once in my entire adolescence did I attend an opera. I went and saw Aida at the old Met, didn't understand a thing about it, and thought it was pretty awful. But I think I had it in my genes without even realising it.

They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.

All great changes are irksome to the human mind, especially those which are attended with great dangers and uncertain effects.

You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.