The lives of the best of us are spent in choosing between evils.

As for the differences of opinion upon speculative questions, if we wait till they are reconciled, the action of human affairs must be suspended forever. But neither are we to look for perfection in any one man, nor for agreement among many.

It is a maxim received in life that, in general, we can determine more wisely for others than for ourselves. The reason of it is so dear in argument that it hardly wants the confirmation of experience.

There is a holy mistaken zeal in politics as well as religion. By persuading others, we convince ourselves.

The integrity of men is to be measured by their conduct, not by their professions.

How much easier is it to be generous than just.

I hold myself indebted to any one from whose enlightened understanding another ray of knowledge communicates to mine. Really to inform the mind is to correct and enlarge the heart.