The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to an uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.

The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted.