At all times sincere friends of freedom have been rare, and its triumphs have been due to minorities, that have prevailed by associating themselves with auxiliaries whose objects often differed from their own; and this association, which is always dangerous, has sometimes been disastrous.

The science of politics is the one science that is deposited by the streams of history, like the grains of gold in the sand of a river; and the knowledge of the past, the record of truths revealed by experience, is eminently practical, as an instrument of action and a power that goes to making the future.

No public character has ever stood the revelation of private utterance and correspondence.

Progress, the religion of those who have none.

If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation.

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

I mourn for the stake which was lost at Richmond more deeply than I rejoice over that which was saved at Waterloo.