Adversity is a severe instructor, set over us by one who knows us better than we do ourselves.

Flattery is no more than what raises in a man's mind an idea of a preference which he has not.

Man acts from adequate motives relative to his interest, and not on metaphysical speculations.

Dogs are indeed the most social, affectionate, and amiable animals of the whole brute creation.

The laws of nature are the laws of God, whose authority can be superseded by no power on earth.

In every European nation, there have been problems in history when the society was too divided.

He that accuses all mankind of corruption ought to remember that he is sure to convict only one.

Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.

We owe to our Mother-Country the Duty of Subjects but will not pay her the Submission of Slaves.

I really do hope that the Millennium Summit gives new impetus to the work of the United Nations.

One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans (1888).

Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.

If things are going well, religion and legislation are beneficial; if not, they are of no avail.

Prudence is a quality incompatible with vice, and can never be effectively enlisted in its cause.

The pride of men will not often suffer reason to have scope until it can be no longer of service.

There is a Providence that protects idiots, drunkards, children and the United States of America.

To reach the height of our ambition is like trying to reach the rainbow; as we advance it recedes.

Slavery discourages arts and manufacturing ...[and] every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant.

Physicians still retain something of their priestly origin; they would gladly do what they forbid.

I also believed that our public at home would be strong enough to survive even the present crisis.

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

Mere parsimony is not economy. Expense, and great expense, may be an essential part in true economy.

Not men but measures a sort of charm by which many people get loose from every honorable engagement.

Evils we have had continually calling for reformation, and reformations more grievous than any evils.

Nobility is a graceful ornament to the civil order. It is the Corinthian capital of polished society.

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

I consider even a victorious war as an evil, from which statesmanship must endeavor to spare nations.

With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud I try to be a fraud and a half.

I think that the future belongs to democracy, but not to capitalism, because they are opposite camps.

Religion is essentially the art and the theory of the remaking of man. Man is not a finished creation.

A people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood.

A great deal of the furniture of ancient tyranny is torn to rags; the rest is entirely out of fashion.

There are many challenges, there are many obstacles; let us try to change the obstacles to advantages.

People who love sausage and people who believe in justice should never watch either of them being made

The ideal state is that in which an injury done to the least of its citizens is an injury done to all.

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

Good company, lively conversation, and the endearments of friendship fill the mind with great pleasure.

Crimes lead into one another. They who are capable of being forgers, are capable of being incendiaries.

The parties are the gamesters; but government keeps the table, and is sure to be the winner in the end.

True humility-the basis of the Christian system-is the low but deep and firm foundation of all virtues.

The most significant event of the 20th century will be the fact that the North Americans speak English.

It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice tell me I ought to do.

If we owned the property, we will be free and prosperous. If so they regain control, we will become poor

Taxing is an easy business. Any projector can contrive new compositions, any bungler can add to the old.

Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way, ought to give us ground to presume ability.

Man is by his constitution a religious animal; atheism is against not only our reason, but our instincts.

In Finland we have equal political rights for women and men. We do not regard ourselves according to sex.

A bad plan that is well executed will yield much better results than a good plan that is poorly executed.

There was reason to fear that the Revolution, like Saturn, might devour in turn each one of her children.

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