This excessive licence, which the anarchists think is the only true freedom, provides the stock, as it were, from which a tyrant grows.

All men have a feeling, that they would rather you told them a civil lie than give them a point blank refusal.... If you make a promise, the thing is still uncertain, depends on a future day, and concerns but few people; but if you refuse you alienate people to a certainty and at once, and many people too.

In anger nothing right nor judicious can be done.

By doubting we come at truth.

We are not born, we do not live for ourselves alone; our country, our friends, have a share in us.

Whatever is graceful is virtuous, and whatever is virtuous is graceful.

Scurrility has no object in view but incivility; if it is uttered from feelings of petulance, it is mere abuse; if it is spoken in a joking manner, it may be considered raillery.