Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.

The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind.

A profound conviction raises a man above the feeling of ridicule.

The real advantage which truth has, consists in this, that when an opinion is true, it may be extinguished once, twice, or many times, but in the course of ages there will generally be found persons to rediscover it

The world would be astonished if it knew how great a proportion of its brightest ornaments, of those distinguished even in popular estimation for wisdom and virtue, are complete sceptics in religion.

A people may prefer a free government, but if, from indolence, or carelessness, or cowardice, or want of public spirit, they are unequal to the exertions necessary for preserving it. They are more or less unfit for liberty; and although it may be for their good to have had it even for a short time, they are unlikely long to enjoy it

All good things which exist are the fruits of originality.