If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. It is true that you may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. -Speech at Clinton, Illinois, September 8, 1854.

If I am killed, I can die by once; but to live in constant dread of it, is to die over and over again.

Never let your correspondence fall behind.

The trouble with too many people is they believe the realm of truth always lies within their vision.

I hold that while a man exists, it is his duty to improve not only his own condition, but to assist in ameliorating mankind.

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country.