Style is the image of character.
Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.
Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.
We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.
Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.
But the wisdom and authority of the legislator are seldom victorious in a contest with the vigilant dexterity of private interest.
Under a democratical government the citizens exercise the powers of sovereignty; and those powers will be first abused, and afterwards lost, if they are committed to an unwieldy multitude.
Philosophy, with the aid of experience, has at length banished the study of alchymy; and the present age, however desirous of riches, is content to seek them by the humbler means of commerce and industry.
I was never less alone than when by myself.
My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the decent obscurity of a learned language.
The laws of probability, so true in general, so fallacious in particular.
The best and most important part of every man’s education is that which he gives himself.
Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.
A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.
Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition.
A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed to the last extremes of injustice and oppression.
Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.
Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.
The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.
The first of earthly blessings, independence.