Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.
Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.
The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.
Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.
The happiness of society is the end of government.
The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations.
The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea.
There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.
If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?
There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.
When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.
While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.
Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.