The few have not strength to achieve great changes unaided; the many have not wisdom to be moved by truth unmixed.

Good and evil lie close together. Seek no artistic unity in character.

Remember that one touch of ill-nature makes the whole world kin.

At all times sincere friends of freedom have been rare, and its triumphs have been due to minorities.

It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For there is a reserve of latent power in the masses which, if it is called into play, the minority can seldom resist. But from the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.

The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks.

I saw in States' rights the only availing check upon the absolutism of the sovereign will, and secession filled me with hope, not as the destruction but as the redemption of Democracy.... Therefore I deemed that you were fighting the battles of our liberty, our progress, and our civilization, and I mourn for the stake which was lost at Richmond more deeply than I rejoice over that which was saved at Waterloo.