Nations, as well as men, almost always betray the most prominent features of their future destiny in their earliest years. - Alexis de Tocqueville

In the United States the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own.

The President ... may err ... Congress may decide amiss ... But if the Supreme Court is ever composed of imprudent or bad men, the Union may be plunged into anarchy or civil war.

Alternative translation: In politics... shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.