No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward a time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction cannot lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient than those of our Revolutionary ancestors.

We need not concern ourselves much about rights of property if we faithfully observe the rights of persons.

Those who trust to chance must abide by the results of chance.

Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.

Four-fifths of all our troubles would disappear, if we would only sit down and keep still.

It is difficult for men in high office to avoid the malady of self-delusion

There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means.