Corrupt influence is itself the perennial spring of all prodigality, and of all disorder; it loads us more than millions of debt; takes away vigor from our arms, wisdom from our councils, and every shadow of authority and credit from the most venerable parts of our constitution.

The blood of man should never be shed but to redeem the blood of man. It is well shed for our family, for our friends, for our God, for our country, for our kind. The rest is vanity; the rest is crime.

It is the nature of all greatness not to be exact.

An appearance of delicacy, and even fragility, is almost essential to beauty.

War never leaves where it found a nation.

No sound ought to be heard in the church but the healing voice of Christian charity.

You can never plan the future by the past.