An avaricious man might be tempted to betray the interests of the state for the acquisition of wealth.No. 75
When avarice takes the lead in a state, it is commonly the forerunner of its fall.
Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things
Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of man will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.
Who talks most about freedom and equality? Is it not those who hold the bill of rights in one hand and a whip for affrighted slaves in the other?
Am I then more of an American than those who drew their first breath on American Ground?
We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided.
Power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will.
Constitutions should consist only of general provisions the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.
A national debt if it is not excessive will be to us a national blessing.
Man is a reasoning rather than a reasonable animal.
We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided.
It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard against the oppression of its rulers but to guard one part of society against the injustice of the other part.
There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism
Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others.
I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.
There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.
The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased.
Nobody expects to trust his body overmuch after the age of fifty.
In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution.
Power over a man’s subsistence is power over his will.
The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of God; and, however generally this maxim has been quoted and believed, it is not true to fact. The people are turbulent and changing, they seldom judge or determine right.
In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.
There are seasons in every country when noise and impudence pass current for worth; and in popular commotions especially, the clamors of interested and factious men are often mistaken for patriotism.
It’s not tyranny we desire; it’s a just, limited, federal government.
Unless your government is respectable, foreigners will invade your rights; and to maintain tranquillity, it must be respectable – even to observe neutrality, you must have a strong government.
Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government.
Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.
Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.
When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.
Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the impulse of passion.
Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.