It is the want of responsibility, and not of constant and active presence, which infers virtue and self-control.

No one would willingly lay legal restraints on himself in anything, while all are very happy to restrain their neighbors.

This refers to the positive and necessary rules of intercourse, and the establishment of rights; as to mere morality, laws do very little towards enforcing its ordinances.

Morals usually come of instruction; and when all have political power, instruction is a security that all desire." "But when all vote, all may wish to abuse their trust to their own especial advantage, and a political chaos will be the consequence." "Such a result is impossible, except as especial advantage is identified with general advantage.

A community can no more buy itself in this manner, than a monikin can eat himself, let him be as ravenous as he will.