• “Illustrious examples are displayed to our view, that we may imitate as well as admire. Before we can be distinguished by the same honors, we must be distinguished by the same virtues. What are those virtues? They are chiefly the same virtues, which we have already seen to be descriptive of the American character — the love of liberty, and the love of law. But law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge.” ~James Wilson, Of the Study of the Law in the United States
  

• “Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge.” ~James Wilson, Of the Study of the Law in the United States, 1790
  

Duty of a Parent

• “It is the duty of parents to maintain their children decently, and according to their circumstances; to protect them according to the dictates of prudence; and to educate them according to the suggestions of a judicious and zealous regard for their usefulness, their respectability and happiness.” –James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791
  

Law & Liberty

• “Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge.” –James Wilson, Of the Study of the Law in the United States, 1790
  

The Magistrate of A Free People . . .

• “[The President] is the dignified, but accountable magistrate of a free and great people. The tenure of his office, it is true, is not hereditary; nor is it for life: but still it is a tenure of the noblest kind: by being the man of the people, he is invested; by continuing to be the man of the people, his investiture will be voluntarily, and cheerfully, and honourably renewed.” –James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791
  

Chastising Our Prejudices

• “In observations on this subject, we hear the legislature mentioned as the people’s representatives. The distinction, intimated by concealed implication, through probably, not avowed upon reflection, is, that the executive and judicial powers are not connected with the people by a relation so strong or near or dear. But is high time that we should chastise our prejudices; and that we should look upon the different parts of government with a just and impartial eye.” –James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791
  

Re: Laws

• “In planning, forming, and arranging laws, deliberation is always becoming, and always useful.” –James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791
  

The most important consequence of marriage . . .

• “The most important consequence of marriage is, that the husband and the wife become in law only one person… Upon this principle of union, almost all the other legal consequences of marriage depend. This principle, sublime and refined, deserves to be viewed and examined on every side.” –James Wilson, Of the Natural Rights of Individuals, 1792
  

It is the duty of parents to maintain their children . . .

• “It is the duty of parents to maintain their children decently, and according to their circumstances; to protect them according to the dictates of prudence; and to educate them according to the suggestions of a judicious and zealous regard for their usefulness, their respectability and happiness.” –James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791
  

Discover the meaning . . .

• “The first and governing maxim in the interpretation of a statute is to discover the meaning of those who made it.” –James Wilson, Of the Study of Law in the United States, 1790