There is but one law for all, namely, that law which governs all law, the law of our Creator, the law of humanity, justice, equity -- the law of nature, and of nations. |
Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters. |
No government ought to exist for the purpose of checking the prosperity of its people or to allow such a principle in its policy. |
To govern according to the sense and agreement of the interests of the people is a great and glorious object of governance. This object cannot be obtained but through the medium of popular election, and popular election is a mighty evil. |
In such a strait the wisest may well be perplexed and the boldest staggered. |
It is by this tribunal that statesmen [are tried] not upon the niceties of a narrow jurisprudence but upon the enlarged and solid principles of morality. |
Liberty must be limited in order to be possessed. |
My vigour relents. I pardon something to the spirit of liberty. |
