We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations...is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects it does of necessity fly to anarchy or to despotism.

I have simply tried to do what seemed best each day, as each day came.

What is to be, will be, and no prayers of ours can arrest the decree.

We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word many mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name - liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny.

It is the quality of revolutions not to go by old lines or old laws; but to break up both, and make new ones.

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