Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

To unequal privileges among members of the same society the spirit of our nation is, with one accord, adverse.

Natural rights [are] the objects for the protection of which society is formed and municipal laws established.

Should [reformers] attempt more than the established habits of the people are ripe for, they may lose all and retard indefinitely the ultimate object of their aim.

A lawyer without books would be like a workman without tools.

It is unfortunate that the efforts of mankind to recover the freedom of which they have been so long deprived, will be accompanied with violence, with errors, and even with crimes. But while we weep over the means, we must pray for the end.

When you are doubting whether a thing is worth the trouble of going to see, recollect that you will never again be so near it. You may repent not having seen it, but you can never repent having seen it.