I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.

Seriously, I do not think I am fit for the Presidency.

I do not wish to be misunderstood upon this subject of slavery in this country. I suppose it may long exist, and perhaps the best way for it to come to an end peaceably is for it to exist for a length of time. But I say that the spread and strengthening and perpetuation of it is an entirely different proposition. There we should in every way resist it as a wrong, treating it as a wrong, with the fixed idea that it must and will come to an end.

Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.

A jury too often has at least one member more ready to hang the panel than to hang the traitor.

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.

We better know there is a fire whence we see much smoke rising than we could know it by one or two witnesses swearing to it. The witnesses may commit perjury, but the smoke cannot.