Truly there is a tide in the affairs of men; but there is no gulf-stream setting forever in one direction.

Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day, which must be done, whether you like it or not.

It is mediocrity which makes laws and sets mantraps and spring-guns in the realm of free song, saying thus far shalt thou go and no further.

A wise man travels to discover himself.

It seems to me that the bane of our country is a profession of faith either with no basis of real belief, or with no proper examination of the grounds on which the creed is supposed to rest.

A great man is made up of qualities that meet or make great occasions.

All free governments, whatever their name, are in reality governments by public opinion ; and it is on the quality of this public opinion that their prosperity depends. It is, therefore, their first duty to purify the element from which they draw the breath of life.