To proportion the eagerness of contest to its importance seems too hard a task for human wisdom. The pride of wit has kept ages busy in the discussion of useless questions, and the pride of power has destroyed armies, to gain or to keep unprofitable possessions.

He who would have fine guests, let him have a fine wife.

In questions of law or of fact conscience is very often confounded with opinion. No man's conscience can tell him the rights of another man; they must be known by rational investigation or historical inquiry.

It is not possible to be regarded with tenderness, except by a few. That merit which gives greatness and renown diffuses its influence to a wide compass, but acts weakly on every single breast; it is placed at a distance from common spectators, and shines like one of the remote stars, of which the light reaches us, but not the heat.

He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience. We have always protected the Americans; we may therefore subject them to government.

Celestial wisdom calms the mind.

The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.