Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object

If there is anything that a man can do well, I say let him do it. Give him a chance.

It has been said of the world's history hitherto that might makes right. It is for us and for our time to reverse the maxim, and to say that right makes might.

I am an optimist because I don't see the point in being anything else.

Slavery is founded on the selfishness of man's nature - opposition to it on his love of justice. These principles are in eternal antagonism; and when brought into collision so fiercely as slavery extension brings them, shocks and throes and convulsions must ceaselessly follow.

We will make converts day by day; we will grow strong by the violence and injustice of our adversaries. And, unless truth be a mockery and justice a hollow lie, we will be in the majority after a while.

If all men were just, there still would be some, though not so much, need of government.