Human laws made to direct the will ought to give precepts, and not counsels.

It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.

The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded.

We receive three educations, one from our parents, one from our school-masters, and one from the world. The third contradicts all that the first two teach us.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.

In the state of nature... all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of the law.

A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century.

For a country, everything will be lost when the jobs of an economist and a banker become highly respected professions.

Liberty... is there only when there is no abuse of power.

Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness; but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.

It is only through the darkness, we desire the light.

If your heart is pure, you block any harm.

what risk to a common man is an opportunity for a wise

Nothing is more dramatic than a well-placed pause.

Touching people is very rewarding to me.

I think it is important to reach people through arts and literature, because then you establish a connection that's not an instant crisis.

You know, my life's changed now. I'm starting to experience what people are really supposed to do. You supposed to be married. You're supposed to have a family, kids, treat your wife right.

We love justice greatly, and just men but little.

[Health reform] will destroy the country [because] in the next year or so [America will have to] dramatically cut the military because we can't pay for it.

Our ability to create has outreached our ability to use wisely the products of our invention.