The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other. ↗
When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man. ↗
A little group of willful men, representing no opinion but their own, have rendered the great government of the United States helpless and contemptible. ↗
For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against. ↗
Taught to regard a part of our own Species in the most abject and contemptible Degree below us, we lose that Idea of the dignity of Man which the Hand of Nature had implanted in us, for great and useful purposes. ↗