“Generally speaking, only simple conceptions can grip the mind of a nation. An idea that is clear and precise even though false will always have greater power in the world than an idea that is true but complex.”

The last thing a political party gives up is its vocabulary.

Everybody feels the evil, but no one has courage or energy enough to seek the cure.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

The best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage.

The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.

This so-called tolerance, which, in my opinion, is nothing but a huge indifference.

The man who asks of freedom anything other than itself is born to be a slave.

The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.

Society is endangered not by the great profligacy of a few, but by the laxity of morals amongst all.

Those who prize freedom only for the material benefits it offers have never kept it for long.

Those which we call necessary institutions are simply no more than institutions to which we have become accustomed.

Men are not corrupted by the exercise of power or debased by the habit of obedience, but by the exercise of a power which they believe to be illegal and by obedience to a rule which they consider to be usurped and oppressive.

I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and that they may absolutely refuse to move at all.

In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own.

In the principle of equality I very clearly discern two tendencies; one leading the mind of every man to untried thoughts, the other prohibiting him from thinking at all.

There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.

One of the greatest favors that can be bestowed upon the American people is economy in government.

Every new experience brings its own maturity and a greater clarity of vision.

There have been great men with little of what we call education. There have been many small men with a great deal of learning. There has never been a great people who did not possess great learning.

The greatest failure is the failure to try.

Our own selfishness makes us the most arrant cowards; our own selfishness is the great cause of fear and cowardice.

The king’s might is greater than human, and his arm is very long.

Freedom is not only bought with a great price; it is maintained by unremitting effort.

But I like not these great successes of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.