The law does not expect a man to be prepared to defend every act of his life which may be suddenly and without notice alleged against him.

The most lively fancy aided by the strongest description cannot equal the reality of the opera.

When a law is in its nature a contract, when absolute rights have vested under that contract, a repeal of the law cannot divest those rights.

That the people have an original right to establish, for their future government, such principles as, in their opinion, shall most conduce to their own happiness, is the basis, on which the whole American fabric has been erected.... The principles, therefore, so established, are deemed fundamental. And as the authority, from which they proceed, is supreme ... they are designed to be permanent.... The powers of the legislature are defined, and limited; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the constitution is written.

What is it that makes us trust our judges? Their independence in office and manner of appointment.

Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the constitution, are constitutional.

The French Revolution will be found to have had great influence on the strength of parties, and on the subsequent political transactions of the United States.