No man must encroach upon my province, nor I upon his. He may advise me, moderately and without pertinaciousness, but he must not expect to dictate to me. He may censure me freely and without reserve; but he should remember that I am to act by my deliberation and not his. I ought to exercise my talents for the benefit of others; but that exercise must be the fruit of my own conviction; no man must attempt to press me into the service.

Perfectibility is one of the most unequivocal characteristics of the human species.

By right, as the word is employed in this subject, has always been understood discretion, that is, a full and complete power of either doing a thing or omitting it, without the person's becoming liable to animadversion or censure from another, that is, in other words, without his incurring any degree of turpitude or guilt. Now in this sense I affirm that man has no rights, no discretionary power whatever.

Perseverance is an active principle, and cannot continue to operate but under the influence of desire.

Duty is that mode of action on the part of the individual which constitutes the best possible application of his capacity to the general benefit.

The great model of the affection of love in human beings is the sentiment which subsists between parents and children.

The diligent scholar is he that loves himself, and desires to have reason to applaud and love himself.