The people cannot look to legislation generally for success. Industry, thrift, character, are not conferred by act or resolve. Government cannot relieve from toil. It can provide no substitute for the rewards of service. It can, of course, care for the defective and recognize distinguished merit. The normal must care for themselves. Self-government means self-support.

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.

I want the people of America to be able to work less for the government and more for themselves. I want them to have the rewards of their own industry. This is the chief meaning of freedom. Until we can reestablish a condition under which the earnings of the people can be kept by the people, we are bound to suffer a very severe and distinct curtailment of our liberty.

We cannot permit any inquisition either within or without the law or apply any religious test to the holding of office. The mind of America must be forever free.

The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

We want wealth, but there are many other things we want very much more. Among them are peace, honor, charity, and idealism.