Let him [the President] once win the admiration and confidence of the country, and no other single force can withstand him, no combination of forces will easily overpower him.... If he rightly interpret the national thought and boldly insist upon it, he is irresistible; and the country never feels the zest of action so much as when the President is of such insight and caliber.

Absolute identity with one's cause is the first and great condition of successful leadership.

Whatever may be said against the chewing of tobacco, this at least can be said of it, that it gives a man time to think between sentences.

War isn’t declared in the name of God; it is a human affair entirely.

If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if an hour, I am ready now.

Uncompromising thought is the luxury of the closeted recluse. Untrammeled reasoning is the indulgence of the philosopher, of the dreamer of sweet dreams.

As compared with the college politician, the real article seems like an amateur.