If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.

In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some germ of corruption and degeneracy, which cunning will discover, and wickedness insensibly open, cultivate and improve.

There are two subjects, indeed, which I shall claim a right to further as long as I breathe: the public education, and the sub-division of counties into wards. I consider the continuance of republican government as absolutely hanging on these two hooks.

I think with the Romans, that the general of today should be a soldier tomorrow if necessary.

It is to secure our rights that we resort to government at all.

I long to be in the midst of the children, and have more pleasure in their little follies than in the wisdom of the wise.

The world is indebted for all triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.