Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants.

Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more of it there must be without.

I am convinced that we have a degree of delight, and that no small one, in the real misfortunes and pains of others.

Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink... do not imagine that those who make the noise are the only inhabitants of the field.

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

Good order is the foundation of all things.

Our patience will achieve more than our force.

Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little minds go ill together.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.