“Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could.”

Many of our disappointments and much of our unhappiness arise from our forming false notions of things and persons.

Let your observations and comparisons produce in your mind an abhorrence of domination and power

But let no person say what they would or would not do, since we are not judges for ourselves until circumstances call us to act.

I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature and that power, whether vested in many or a few, is ever grasping, and like the grave, cries, ‘Give, give.’

What is the history of mighty kingdoms and nations, but a detail of the ravages and cruelties of the powerful over the weak?

May justice and righteousness be the stability of our times, and order arise out of confusion. Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.

I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature.

A people fired with love of their country and of liberty, a zeal for the public good, and a noble emulation of glory, will not be disheartened or dispirited by a succession of unfortunate events.

We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.

It is to me a most affecting thing to hear myself prayed for, in particular as I do every day in the week, and disposes me to bear with more composure

Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real Good Will towards Men?

Great necessities call out great virtues.

The only chance for much intellectual improvement in the female sex, was to be found in the families of the educated class and in occasional intercourse with the learned.

If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation.

Wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. Great necessities call out great virtues.

I hope some future day will bring me the happiness of seeing my family again collected under our own roof, happy in ourselves and blessed in each other.