I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

Submitted to the Sec. of War. On principle I dislike an oath which requires a man to swear he has not done wrong. It rejects the Christian principle of forgiveness on terms of repentance. I think it is enough if the man does no wrong hereafter.

All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind.

The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.

...I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that struggle was made, and I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be an humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this, his almost chosen people, for perpetuating the object of that great struggle.

I wish to see, in process of disappearing, that only thing which ever could bring this nation to civil war.

You can have anything you want if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose.