Success can be attained in any branch of labor. There’s always room at the top in every pursuit.

A word, a look, an accent, may affect the destiny not only of individuals, but of nations. He is a bold man who calls anything a trifle.

A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.

The average person puts only 25% of his energy and ability into his work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50% of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100%.

I resolved to stop accumulating and begin the infinitely more serious and difficult task of wise distribution.

All honor's wounds are self-inflicted.

Give me the life of the boy whose mother is nurse, seamstress, washerwoman, cook, teacher, angel, and saint, all in one, and whose father is guide, exemplar, and friend. No servants to come between. These are the boys who are born to the best fortune.