Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens. We went into slavery with chains clanking about our wrists; we came out with the American ballot in our hands.

Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the every day things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon.

Whenever your life touches mine, you make me stronger of weaker... there is no escape... people drag others or lift others up.

The circumstances that surround a man's life are not important. How that man responds to those circumstances IS IMPORTANT. His response is the ultimate determining factor between success and failure.

Each one should remember there is a chance for him.

One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him.

My whole life has largely been one of surprises.