I pity from the bottom of my heart any nation or body of people that is so unfortunate as to get entangled in the net of slavery.

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.

I believe that my race will succeed in proportion as it learns to do a common thing in an uncommon manner; learns to do a thing so thoroughly that no one can improve upon what it has done; learns to make its services of indispensable value.

Lay hold of something that will help you, and then use it to help somebody else.

I shall never permit myself to stoop so low as to hate any man.

In proportion as one renders service he becomes great.

We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.