In England pensions used to be given to aristocrats, because aristocrats had political influence, in order to corrupt them. Here pensions are given to the great democratic mass, because they have political power, to corrupt them.

There is no device whatever to be invented for securing happiness without industry, economy, and virtue.

Furthermore, the unearned increment from land appears in the United States as a gain to the first comers, who have here laid the foundations of a new State.

All history is only one long story to this effect: men have struggled for power over their fellow-men in order that they might win the joys of earth at the expense of others and might shift the burdens of life from their own shoulders upon those of others.

If I want to be free from any other man's dictation, I must understand that I can have no other man under my control.

The truth is that cupidity, selfishness, envy, malice, lust, vindictiveness, are constant vices of human nature.

I have lived through the best years of this country's history. The next generations are going to see war and social calamities. I am glad I don't have to live on into them.