A military life had no charms for me, and I had not the faintest idea of staying in the army even if I should be graduated, which I did not expect.

I never wanted to get out of a place as much as I did to get out of the presidency.

Really, Mr. Lincoln, I have had enough of this show business.

I leave comparisons to history, claiming only that I have acted in every instance from a conscientious desire to do what was right, constitutional, within the law, and for the very best interests of the whole people. Failures have been errors of judgment, not of intent.

I appreciate the fact, and am proud of it, that the attentions I am receiving are intended more for our country than for me personally.

If men make war in slavish observance of rules, they will fail. No rules will apply to conditions of war as different as those which exist in Europe and America...War is progressive, because all the instruments and elements of war are progressive.

Venice would be a fine city if it were only drained.