Everything is useful which contributes to fix the principles and practices of virtue.

If I am to meet with a disappointment, the sooner I know it, the more of life I shall have to wear it off.

When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.

My passion strengthens daily to quit political turmoil, and retire into the bosom of my family, the only scene of sincere and purehappiness.

If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.

The same facts impress us differently.

With nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties.