“A State without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.”
“A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman.”
“A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.”
“All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.”
“All human laws are, properly speaking, only declaratory; they have no power over the substance of original justice.”
“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
“Ambition can creep as well as soar.”
“Among a people generally corrupt liberty cannot long exist.”
“Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.”
“Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.”