“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.”

A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation’s flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth.

The blossom cannot tell what becomes of its odor, and no person can tell what becomes of his or her influence and example.

The most dangerous people are the ignorant.

Men’s best successes come after their disappointments.

When a man sells eleven ounces for twelve, he makes a compact with the devil, and sells himself for the value of an ounce.

No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy the sunlight today, mix good cheer with friends today, enjoy it and bless God for it. Do not look back on happiness — or dream of it in the future. You are only sure of today; do not let yourself be cheated out of it.

We go to the grave of a friend saying, “A man is dead,” but angels throng about him saying, “A man is born.”

Men go shopping just as men go out fishing or hunting, to see how large a fish may be caught with the smallest hook.

It is not what we read, but what we remember, that makes us learned. It is not what we intend, but what we do that makes us useful. It is not a few faint wishes, but a life long struggle, that makes us valiant.

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.

Walking humbly, you are more of a man than you were when you walked proudly.

I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.

You are not called to be a canary in a cage. You are called to be an eagle, and to fly sun to sun, over continents.

In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.

Laws and institutions, like clocks, must occasionally be cleaned, wound up, and set to true time.

Every young man would do well to remember that all successful business stands on the foundation of morality.

We have no compassion and we ask no compassion from you. When our turn comes, we shall not make excuses for the terror.

History will never accept difficulties as an excuse.

Prejudices are what fools use for reason.

A loss is not a failure until you make an excuse.

Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.

If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die.

You can make money and you can make excuses, but you can never make money out of excuses.

Don’t succumb to excuses. Go back to the job of making the corrections and forming the habits that will make your goal possible.