“General rules will bear hard on particular cases.”

I never thought my book would turn so many people against slavery.

I did not write it. God wrote it. I merely did his dictation.

Fanaticism is governed by imagination rather than judgment.

The longest way must have its close – the gloomiest night will wear on to a morning.

The past, the present and the future are really one: they are today.

He who has nothing to lose can afford all risks.

Money is a great help everywhere; – can’t have too much, if you get it honestly.

All men are free and equal in the grave, if it comes to that.

It is no merit in the sorrowful that they weep, or to the oppressed and smothering that they gasp and struggle, not to me, that I must speak for the oppressed – who cannot speak for themselves.

To do common things perfectly is far better worth our endeavor than to do uncommon things respectably.

there is no independence and pertinacity of opinion like that of these seemingly soft, quiet creatures, whom it is so easy to silence, and so difficult to convince.

O, with what freshness, what solemnity and beauty, is each new day born; as if to say to insensate man, “Behold! thou hast one more chance! Strive for immortal glory!

Love is very beautiful, but very, very sad.

Why don’t somebody wake up to the beauty of old women?

There are two classes of human beings in this world: one class seem made to give love, and the other to take it.

People will accept your ideas much more readily if you tell them that Benjamin Franklin said it first. Perhaps it is impossible for a person who does no good to do no harm.