Official truth is not actual truth.

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.

Self-preservation and self-denial: the basis of all political economy.

There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.

Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.

To develop and perfect and arm conscience is the great achievement of history.

Great men are almost always bad men.