Never suppose that in any possible situation or under any circumstances that it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing however slightly so it may appear to you... Encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise ... and that exercise will make them habitual.

One precedent in favor of power is stronger than a hundred against it.

I have sworn upon the altar of God Eternal, hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me.

In America, no other distinction between man and man had ever been known but that of persons in office exercising powers by authority of the laws, and private individuals. Among these last, the poorest laborer stood on equal ground with the wealthiest millionaire, and generally on a more favored one whenever their rights seem to jar.

A single zealot may commence prosecutor, and better men be his victims.

I have not observed mens honesty to increase with their riches.