As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.

You must remember that some things legally right are not morally right.

If both factions, or neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about right. Beware of being assailed by one and praised by the other.

Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition.

A child is a person who is going to carry on what you have started ... the fate of humanity is in his hands.

Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.

I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.