Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.

Guard against the prestige of great names; see that your judgments are your own; and do not shrink from disagreement; no trusting without testing

There is no error so monstrous that it fails to find defenders among the ablest men.

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.

The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.

Absolute power demoralizes.

It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For there is a reserve of latent power in the masses which, if it is called into play, the minority can seldom resist. But from the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.