Our eldest boy, Bob, has been away from us nearly a year at school, and will enter Harvard University this month. He promises verywell, considering we never controlled him much.

If this country is ever demoralized, it will come from trying to live without work.

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.

Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable; it is a positive good.

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

Everybody likes a compliment.

Nothing will divert me from my purpose.