I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable, but the consequences of this enormous inequality producing so much misery to the bulk of mankind, legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing property.

The worst day in a man's life is when he sits down and begins thinking about how he can get something for nothing.

On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?

A little rebellion is a good thing.

[T]he people seem to have deposited the monarchical and taken up the republican government with as much ease as would have attended their throwing off an old and putting on a new suit of clothes.

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.

For themselves they fought, for themselves they conquered, and for themselves alone they have they have right to hold.