A very great part of the mischiefs that vex the world arises from words.

The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny.

I would rather sleep in the southern corner of a little country churchyard, than in the tombs of the Capulets.

Falsehood and delusion are allowed in no case whatever: But, as in the exercise of all the virtues, there is an œconomy of truth. It is a sort of temperance, by which a man speaks truth with measure that he may speak it the longer.

Well is it known that ambition can creep as well as soar.

Manners are of more importance than laws. The law can touch us here and there, now and then. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation like that of the air we breathe in.

We must not always judge of the generality of the opinion by the noise of the acclamation.

Jacobinism is the revolt of the enterprising talents of a country against its property.

All those instances to be found in history, whether real or fabulous, of a doubtful public spirit, at which morality is perplexed, reason is staggered, and from which affrighted Nature recoils, are their chosen and almost sole examples for the instruction of their youth.

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