Killing the dog does not cure the bite.

Again, a law may be both constitutional and expedient, and yet may be administered in an unjust and unfair way.

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.

You know you've reached middle age when all you exercise is caution

And then, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well-poised bayonnet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation.

I have not permitted myself, gentlemen, to conclude that I am the best man in the country; but I am reminded, in this connection, of a story of an old Dutch farmer, who remarked to a companion once that "it was not best to swap horses when crossing streams."

I do not understand that because I do not want a negro woman for a slave I must necessarily want her for a wife. My understanding is that I can just let her alone.