The punishment of murder by death is contrary to reason, and to the order and happiness of society, and contrary to divine revelation.

Energy and persistence conquer all things.

Scarcely have I ever heard or read the introductory phrase, "I may say without vanity," but some striking and characteristic instance of vanity has immediately followed.

We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under heaven. Every man among us reads, and is so easy in his circumstances as to have leisure for conversations of improvement and for acquiring information.

There are two ways of being happy: We must either diminish our wants or augment our means - either may do - the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.

There have been as great souls unknown to fame as any of the most famous.

Those who would trade in their freedom for their protection deserve neither.