Tangible language, which often tells more falsehoods than truths.

If any man tells you he loves America, yet hates labor, he is a liar. If any man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool.

At 50, if you are on a diet on your birthday, you can't eat a piece of your birthday cake. So grab two, a piece in each hand and, lo and behold, you will be on a balanced diet! Happy birthday, old chum!

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.

The US patent system adds the fuel of interest to the fire of genius in the discovery and production of new and useful things

Let us diligently apply the means, never doubting that a just God, in his own good time, will give us the rightful result.

When met with a problem I always ask myself what is the right thing to do and then I do it.