"For we are a democracy, and our laws are equal to all alike in their private disputes, but in public, we are ruled by the will of the majority."

"For no country has ever yet been found that has proved equal to Athens in the hour of trial; and if our empire shall be overthrown, and we go down to defeat, our fall will be more glorious than that o…"

"Your empire is now like a tyranny: it may have been wrong to acquire it, but it is certainly dangerous to let it go."

"We do not say that a man who takes no interest in public affairs is a man who minds his own business. We say he has no business being here at all."

"Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves."