“System to all things is the soul of business. To execute properly and act maturely is the way to conduct it to your advantage.”

Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.

Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights.

The experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure.

A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualities of wit, much less of his riches, virtue or kindred.

True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to appellation.

Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good.

We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people.

Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.

The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend.

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.

We must consult our means rather than our wishes.

One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.

Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.

Who would ever care to do brave deed, Or strive in virtue others to excel, If none should yield him his deserved meed Due praise, that is the spur of doing well? For if good were not praised more than ill, None would choose goodness of his own free will.

Successful people aren’t born that way. They become successful by establishing the habit of doing things unsuccessful people don’t like to do. The successful people don’t always like these things themselves; they just get on and do them.

Love may be likened to a disease in this respect, that when it is denied a vent in one part, it will certainly break out in another; hence what a woman’s lips often conceal, her eyes, her blushes, and many little involuntary actions betray.

So many of our conversations (about affirmative action) have been dishonest

Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.

For deeds to die, however nobly done, And thoughts of men to as themselves decay, But wise words taught in numbers for to run, Recorded by the Muses, live for ay.

The gentle minde by gentle deeds is knowne.

Handsome is that handsome does.