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.

There is not a soul who does not have to beg alms of another, either a smile, a handshake, or a fond eye.

To develop and perfect and arm conscience is the great achievement of history.

Limitation is essential to authority. A government is legitimate only if it is effectively limited.

It is dangerous, at any time, to multiply sources of weakness.

In every age its (liberty's) progress has been beset by its natural enemies, by ignorance and superstition, by lust of conquest and by love of ease, by the strong man's craving for power, and the poor man's craving for food

Despotic power is always accompanied by corruption of morality.