The severest justice may not always be the best policy

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.

Gen. Schurz thinks I was a little cross in my late note to you. If I was, I ask pardon. If I do get up a little temper I have no sufficient time to keep it up.

Character is like a tree, and reputation is like its shadow.

Teach the children so it will not be necessary to teach the adults.

I have stepped out upon this platform that I may see you and that you may see me, and in the arrangement I have the best of the bargain.

I certainly know that if the war fails, the administration fails, and that I will be blamed for it, whether I deserve it or not. And I ought to be blamed, if I could do better. You think I could do better; therefore you blame me already. I think I could not do better; therefore I blame you for blaming me.