The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.

History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness.

The American doctrinaire is the converse of the American demagogue, and, in this way, is scarcely less injurious to the public. The first deals in poetry, the last in cant. He is as much a visionary on one side, as the extreme theoretical democrat is a visionary on the other.

All greatness of character is dependent on individuality.

It is a besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which masses of men exhibit their tyranny.

I can't see no great difference atween givin' up territory afore a war, out of a dread of war, and givin' it up after a war, because we can't help it-unless it be that the last is the most manful and honourable.

tis hard to live in a world where all look upon you as below them.