That one hundred and fifty lawyers should do business together ought not to be expected.

The ground of liberty is to be gained by inches, and we must be contented to secure what we can get from time to time and eternally press forward for what is yet to get. It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.

... the common law existed while the Anglo-Saxons were yet pagans, at a time when they had never yet heard the name of Christ pronounced or knew that such a character existed.

We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can be trusted with self - government.

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

The happiest hours of my life have been spent in the flow of affection among friends.

I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.