Government by idea tends to take in everything, to make the whole of society obedient to the idea. Spaces not so governed are unconquered, beyond the border, unconverted, a future danger.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. It is not for the sake of a good public administration that it is required, but for the security in the pursuit of the highest objects of civil society, and of private life.

At all times sincere friends of freedom have been rare, and its triumphs have been due to minorities.

In England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress.

Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right of being able to do what we ought.

Political differences essentially depend on disagreement in moral principles.

The fate of every democracy, of every government based on the sovereignty of the people, depends on the choices it makes between these opposite principles, absolute power on the one hand, and on the other the restraints of legality and the authority of tradition.