A fellow once came to me to ask for an appointment as a minister abroad. Finding he could not get that, he came down to some more modest position. Finally, he asked to be made a tide-waiter. When he saw he could not get that, he asked me for an old pair of trousers. It is sometimes well to be humble.

It is bad to be poor. I shall go to the wall for bread and meat, if I neglect my business this year as well as last.

I say 'try'; if we never try, we shall never succeed.

The demon of intemperance ever seems to have delighted in sucking the blood of genius and of generosity.

For it has been said, all that a man hath will he give for his life; and while all contribute of their substance the soldier puts his life at stake, and often yields it up in his country's cause. The highest merit, then is due to the soldier.

Why don't I drink from a straw? Because straws are for suckers.

I wish all men to be free. I wish the material prosperity of the already free which I feel sure the extinction of slavery would bring.