That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.

But the wise know that foolish legislation is a rope of sand, which perishes in the twisting; that the State must follow, and notlead the character and progress of the citizen; the strongest usurper is quickly got rid of; and they only who build on Ideas, build for eternity; and that the form of government which prevails, is the expression of what cultivation exists in the population which permits it.

Politics is a deleterious profession, like some poisonous handicrafts.

Excellence is the new forever.

It is a capital blunder; as you discover, when another man recites his charities.

It is said, no man can write but one book; and if a man have a defect, it is apt to leave its impression on all his performances.

Man is the end of nature; nothing so easily organizes itself in every part of the universe as he; no moss, no lichen is so easilyborn; and he takes along with him and puts out from himself the whole apparatus of society and condition extempore, as an army encamps in a desert, and where all was just now blowing sand, creates a white city in an hour, a government, a market, a place for feasting, for conversation, and for love.