I would remind my countrymen, that they are to be men first, and Americans only at a late and convenient hour. No matter how valuable law may be to protect your property, even to keep soul and body together, if it do not keep you and humanity together.

Good for the body is the work of the body, good for the soul the work of the soul, and good for either the work of the other.

Don't spend your time in drilling soldiers, who may turn out hirelings after all, but give to undrilled peasantry a country to fight for.

If you will not try, you will go to your grave with your song still inside you.

The ears were made, not for such trivial uses as men are wont to suppose, but to hear celestial sounds.

The highest law gives a thing to him who can use it.

Shall I not rejoice also at the abundance of the weeds whose seeds are the granary of the birds?