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Theirs is an American tragedy in which we all have played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it.

I have learned already in this office that the difficult decisions always come to this desk.

The law, whether human or divine, is no respecter of persons; but the law is a respecter of reality.

Your every voter, as surely as your Chief Magistrate, under the same high sanction, though in a different sphere, exercises a public trust.

Every citizen owes to the country a vigilant watch and close scrutiny of its public servants and a fair and reasonable estimate of their fidelity and usefulness.

The strong man who in the confidence of sturdy health courts the sternest activities of life and rejoices in the hardihood of constant labor may still have lurking near his vitals the unheeded disease that dooms him to sudden collapse.

Our mission is not punishment, but the rectification of wrong.

Fully impressed with the gravity of the duties that confront me and mindful of my weakness, I should be appalled if it were my lot to bear unaided the responsibilities which await me.

Under our scheme of government the waste of public money is a crime against the citizen, and the contempt of our people for economy and frugality in their personal affairs deplorably saps the strength and sturdiness of our national character.

The Constitution expresses more than the conviction of the people that democratic processes must be preserved at all costs.

Government has a right to survive and powers conferred upon it are not necessarily set at naught by the express prohibitions of the Bill of Rights.

The guaranties of civil liberty are but guaranties of freedom of the human mind and spirit and of reasonable freedom and opportunity to express them.

Every where the years bring to all enough of sin and sorrow; but in slavery the very dawn of life is darkened by these shadows.

When I saw them embracing each other, and heard their joyous laughter, I turned sadly away from the lovely sight.

My heart rebelled against God, who had taken from me mother, father, mistress, and friend.

My master had power and law on his side; I had a determined will.

I would ten thousand times rather that my children should be the half-starved paupers of Ireland than to be the most pampered among the slaves of America

The war of my life had begun; and though one of God's most powerless creatures, I resolved never to be conquered.

Reader, it is not to awaken sympathy for myself that I am telling you truthfully what I suffered in slavery.

depriving individuals of the right to choose for themselves how to conduct their intimate relationships poses a far greater threat to the values most deeply rooted in our Nation's history than tolerance of nonconformity could ever do

I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures

At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life.

One of the chief virtues of a democracy, however, is that its defects are always visible and under democratic processes can be pointed out and corrected.

In this time of doubt, they look to the United States as never before for good will, strength, and wise leadership.

I accept with humility the honor which the American people have conferred upon me.