The time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us.

It must be observed that our revenues are raised almost wholly on imported goods.

Never [enter] into dispute or argument with another. I never yet saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing the other by argument. I have seen many on their getting warm, becoming rude and shooting one another.

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 two parties make a compact, there results to each a power of compelling the other to execute it.

Take not from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.

There is not a single crowned head in Europe whose talents or merit would entitle him to be elected a vestryman by the people of any parish in America.