The reluctant obedience of distant provinces generally costs more than it - The Territory is worth. Empires which branch out widely are often more flourishing for a little timely pruning.

With respect to the doctrine of a future life, a North American Indian knows just as much as any ancient or modern philosopher.

There is surely no contradiction in saying that a certain section of the community may be quite competent to protect the persons and property of the rest, yet quite unfit to direct our opinions, or to superintend our private habits.

Politeness has been well defined as benevolence in small things.

No man who is correctly informed as to the past will be disposed to take a morose or desponding view of the present.

If anybody would make me the greatest king that ever lived, with palaces, and gardens and fine dinners, and wine, and coaches, and beautiful clothes, and hundreds of servants, on condition that I would not read books, I would not be a king.

A dominant religion is never ascetic.