I do not think much of the good luck theory of self-made men. It is worth but little attention and has no practical value.

I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!

A man's character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him.

Now, take the Constitution according to its plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. On the other hand it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery.

Shields Green was not one to shrink from hardships or dangers. He was a man of few words, and his speech was singularly broken; but his courage and self-respect made him quite a dignified character.

A man, at times, gets something for nothing, but it will, in his hands, amount to nothing.

No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.