The four most miserable years of my life were my four years in the presidency.

Slavery is the great and foul stain upon the North American Union.

The political system of the United States is essentially extra-European. To stand in firm and cautious independence of all entanglement in the European system has been a cardinal point of their policy under every administration of their government from the peace of 1783 to this day...Every year's experience rivets it more deeply in the principles and opinions of the nation.

I say women exhibit the most exalted virtue when they depart from the domestic circle and enter on the concerns of their country, of humanity, and of their G-d!

I would much rather be found guilty of making a serious mistake in judgment, than to be accused of being even a little bit insincere.

There is nothing so deep and nothing so shallow which political enmity will not turn to account.

The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality.