Labor is superior to capital and precedes capital. Without labor, there is no capital.

Law is nothing else but the best reason of wise men applied for ages to the transactions and business of mankind.

My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures have become clearer and stronger with advancing years, and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them.

I hear you have abolitionists here. We have a few in Illinois, but we shot one the other day.

He will have to learn, I know, that all people are not just- that all men and women are not true. Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero that for every enemy there is a friend. Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick.

No man is poor who has a Godly mother.

Violence begins where knowledge ends.