The quote database

To balance probabilities, where life and liberty hang on the result, requires steady nerves.

One must subject oneself to one's own tests that one is destined for independence and command, and do so at the right time.

One must not avoid one's tests, although they constitute perhaps the most dangerous game one can play, and are in the end tests made only before ourselves and before no other judge.

Adventures are to those to whom they are most unexpected

Man must have just enough faith in himself to have adventures, and just enough doubt of himself to enjoy them.

The whole point depends upon his being at once humble enough to wonder, and haughty enough to defy.

With foresight, and a willingness on the part of our people to face up to the vast responsibility which history has clearly placed upon our country, the difficulties I have outlined can and will be overcome.

Finally we must have courage and self-confidence to cling to our own methods and conceptions of human society. After all, the greatest danger that can befall us in coping with this problem of Soviet communism, is that we shall allow ourselves to become like those with whom we are coping.

We must show courage in a time of blessing by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations.

Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos.

I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it.

Every struggle is a victory.

Doubt and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.

Life is a fair field, and the right will prosper if we stand by our guns.

No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.

Courage returns as we gaze; when we see what has been, we doubt no more that it can be again.

The man that stands upon a principle is the same calm, dauntless, self-possessed man under all circumstances.

Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.

Fears vanish as soon as one is fairly free in the wilderness.

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship

Can there be any man so fearful, that had not rather fall once than hang always in suspense?

Beside, that the ills which he fears he may suffer, he suffers in the very fear of them.

Providence treats us like a generous father, and brings us up to labors, toils, and dangers; whereas the indulgence of a fond mother makes us weak and spiritless.

Great men, I say, often rejoice at crosses of fortune just as brave soldiers do at wars.

If you have no confidence in self you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence you have won even before you have started.