Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day.

When I so pressingly urge a strict observance of all the laws, let me not be understood as saying there are no bad laws, nor that grievances may not arise, for the redress of which, no legal provisions have been made. I mean to say no such thing. But I do mean to say, that, although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still while they continue in force, for the sake of example, they should be religiously observed.

Twenty-two years ago Judge [then-Senator Stephen] Douglas and I first became acquainted. We were both young then; he a trifle younger than I. Even then, we were both ambitious; I, perhaps, quite as much so as he. With me, the race of ambition has been a failure--a flat failure; with him it has been one of splendid success.

No client ever had money enough to bribe my conscience or to stop its utterance against wrong, and oppression.

I couldn't be two faced. If I had two faces, I wouldn't wear this one.

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

A man's legs must be long enough to reach the ground.