The way to be patriotic in America is not only to love America, but to love the duty that lies nearest to our hand, and to know that in performing it we are serving our country.

Today, supremely, it behooves us to remember that a nation shall be saved by the power that sleeps in its own bosom; or by none; shall be renewed in hope, in confidence, in strength by waters welling up from its own sweet, perennial springs. Not from above; not by patronage of its aristocrats. The flower does not bear the root, but the root the flower.

If you would be a leader of men, you must lead your own generation, not the next.

When you come into the presence of a leader of men, you know that you have come into the presence of fire - that it is best not uncautiously to touch that man - that there is something that makes it dangerous to cross him.

There is little for the great part of the history of the world except the bitter tears of pity and the hot tears of wrath.

One cool judgement is worth a thousand hasty councils.

I had rather have everybody on my side than be armed to the teeth.