Whatever is enforced by command is more imputed to him who exacts than to him who performs.

The first lessons with which we should irrigate his mind should be those which teach him to know himself, and to know how to die ... and to live.

It is very easy to accuse a government of imperfection, for all mortal things are full of it.

There is more ado to interpret interpretations than to interpret things, and more books upon books than upon any other subject; we do nothing but comment upon one another. Every place swarms with commentaries; of authors there is great scarcity.

The perpetual work of your life is but to lay the foundation of death.

The strength of any plan depends on the time. Circumstances and things eternally shift and change.

I listen with attention to the judgment of all men; but so far as I can remember, I have followed none but my own.