Certainly the affirmative pursuit of one's convictions about the ultimate mystery of the universe and man's relation to it is placed beyond the reach of law. Government may not interfere with organized or individual expressions of belief or disbelief. Propagation of belief - or even of disbelief - in the supernatural is protected, whether in church or chapel, mosque or synagogue, tabernacle or meeting-house.

The mark of a truly civilized man is confidence in the strength and security derived from the inquiring mind.

Wisdom too often never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late.

Lincoln's appeal to "the better angels of our nature" failed to avert a fratricidal war. But the compassionate wisdom of Lincoln's first and second inaugurals bequeathed to the Union, cemented with blood, a moral heritage which, when drawn upon in times of stress and strife, is sure to find specific ways and means to surmount difficulties that may appear to be insurmountable.

There can be no security where there is fear.

It simply is not true that war never settles anything.

Judicial judgment must take deep account...of the day before yesterday in order that yesterday may not paralyze today.