Men think they think upon the great political questions, and they do; but they think with their party, not independently; they read its literature, but not that of the other side

What is the real function, the essential function, the supreme function, of language? Isn't it merely to convey ideas and emotions? Certainly. Then if we can do it with words of fonetic brevity and compactness, why keep the present cumbersome forms?

There is no salvation for us but to adopt Civilization and lift ourselves down to its level.

Let us not be too particular; it is better to have old secondhand diamonds than none at all.

We have to keep our God placated with prayer, and even then we are never sure of him-how much higher and finer is the Indian's God...Our illogical God is all-powerful in name, but impotent in fact; the Great Spirit is not all-powerful, but does the very best he can for his injun and does it free of charge

You believe in a book that has talking animals, wizards, witches, demons, sticks turning into snakes, burning bushes, food falling from the sky, people walking on water, and all sorts of magical, absurd and primitive stories, and you say that we are the ones that need help?

Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.