There is a very broad theory that society gets the right to hang, as the individual gets the right to defend himself. Suppose she does; there are certain principles which limit this right. Society has got the murderer within four walls; he never can do any more harm. Has society any need to take that man's life to protect itself? If any society has only the right that the individual has, she has no right to inflict the penalty of death, because she can effectually restrain the individual from ever again committing his offence.

The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.

Statutes are mere milestone, telling how far yesterday's thought had traveled; and the talk of the sidewalk today is the law of the land. With us, law in nothing unless close behind it stands a warm, living public opinion.

What is defeat? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better.

It is but the littleness of man that seeth no greatness in trifles.

I think the first duty of society is justice.

The Puritan did not stop to think; he recognized God in his soul, and acted.