The form of government which you admire, when its principles are pure is admirable indeed. It is productive of every Thing which is great and excellent among men. But its principles are as easily destroyed as human nature is corrupted. Such a government is only to be supported by pure religion or Austere morals.

Everything in life should be done with reflection.

There is not an enemy so stout, as to storm and take the fortress of the mind, Unless its infirmity turn traitor, and Fear unbar the gates.

Vanity, I am sensible, is my cardinal vice and cardinal folly; and I am in continual danger, when in company, of being led an ignis fatuus chase by it.

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

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.

The Constitution is ...the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen