If ever this free people, if this Government itself is ever utterly demoralized, it will come from this incessant human wriggle and struggle for office, which is but a way to live without work.

The surest way to reveal one's character is not through adversity but by giving them power.

The person who is incapable of making a mistake, is incapable of anything.

People are just as happy as they choose to be.

On the whole, my impression is that mercy bears richer fruits than any other attribute.

Reputation is like fine china: Once broken it's very hard to repair.

When we were the political slaves of King George, and wanted to be free, we called the maxim that "all men are created equal" a self evident truth; but now when we have grown fat, and have lost all dread of being slaves ourselves, we have become so greedy to be masters that we call the same maxim "a self evident lie" The fourth of July has not quite dwindled away; it is still a great day-for burning fire-crackers!!!