I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.

Whether or not the world would be vastly benefited by a total banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks seems not now an open question. Three-fourths of mankind confess the affirmative with their tongues, and I believe all the rest acknowledge it in their hearts.

I do not think I could myself, be brought to support a man for office, whom I knew to be an open enemy of, and scoffer at, religion.

Without the assistance of that Divine Being...I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail.

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.

We live in the midst of alarms; anxiety beclouds the future; we expect some new disaster with each newspaper we read.

Have I not destroyed my enemy when I have made him into my friend?