A public man has no right to let his actions be determined by particular interests. He does the same thing as a judge who accepts a bribe. Like a judge he must consider what is right, not what is advantageous to a party or class.

Though oppression may give rise to violent and repeated outbreaks, like the convulsions of a man in pain, it cannot mature a settled purpose and plan of regeneration, unless a new notion of happiness is joined to the sense of present evil.

History, to be above evasion or dispute, must stand on documents, not on opinions.

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

Despotic power is always accompanied by corruption of morality.

The will of the people cannot make just that which is unjust.

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