There are geniuses in trade as well as in war, or the state, or letters; and the reason why this or that man is fortunate is not to be told. It lies in the man: that is all anybody can tell you about it.

Do not speak of God much. After a very little conversation on the highest nature, thought deserts us and we run into formalism.

It is very certain that the strong British race which has now overrun much of this continent, must also overrun [Texas], and Mexico and Oregon also, and it will in the course of ages be of small import by what particular occasions and methods it was done.

Everything has its price - and if that price is not paid, not that thing but something else is obtained... it is impossible to get anything without this price.

A friend is a person who goes around saying nice things about you behind your back.

And truly it demands something godlike in him who cast off the common motives of humanity and ventured to trust himself for a taskmaster.

Enthusiasm is the engine of success.