It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as they would be the sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please . . . . Certainly no such universal power was meant to be given them. It [the Constitution] was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect.

Governments constantly choose between telling lies and fighting wars, with the end result always being the same. One will always lead to the other.

I have great confidence in the common sense of mankind in general.

But under the beaming, constant and almost vertical sun of Virginia, shade is our Elysium. In the absence of this no beauty of the eye can be enjoyed.

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

A government held together by the bands of reason only, requires much compromise of opinion.

Truth between candid minds can never do harm.