What are the maxims of Democracy? A strict observance of justice and public faith, and a steady adherence to virtue.

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.

No principle of general law is more universally acknowledged, than the perfect equality of nations. Russia and Geneva have equal rights. It results from this equality, that no one can rightfully impose a rule on another....As no nation can prescribe a rule for others, none can make a law of nations.

The institution of Masonry ought to be abandoned as one capable of much evil, and incapable of producing any good which might not be affected by safe and open means.

No one imagines that a law professing to tax will be permitted to destroy.

Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos.

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.