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.

And I honor the man who is willing to sink half his present repute for the freedom to think, and, when he has thought, be his cause strong or weak, Will risk t' other half for the freedom to speak.

Such power there is in clear-eyed self-restraint.

[B]ut in literature, it should be remembered, a thing always becomes his at last who says it best, and thus makes it his own.

In the parliament of the present every man represents a constituency of the past.

God'll send the bill to you.

I tell ye wut, my judgment is you're pooty sure to fail, Ez long 'z the head keeps turnin' back for counsel to the the tail.