I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.

Let thy carriage be such as becomes a man grave settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not, at every turn, what others say.

The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they pass unobserved.

Providence has at all times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed to have failed us.

I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.

I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you and the State over which you preside in His holy protection; that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.