An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man.

Government has come to be a trade, and is managed solely on commercial principles. A man plunges into politics to make his fortune, and only cares that the world shall last his days.

Open the doors of opportunity to talent and virtue and they will do themselves justice, and property will not be in bad hands.

A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise shall give him no peace.

Religion must always be a crab fruit; it cannot be grafted, and keep its wild beauty.

Away with this hurrah of masses, and let us have the considerate vote of single men.

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.