The quote database

I have been obliged to content myself through life with saying what I mean in the plainest of plain language, than which, I suppose, there is no habit more ruinous to a man's prospects of advancement.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make

The constitution of a country is not the act of its government, but of the people constituting its government.

A constitution is a thing antecedent to a government, and a government is only the creature of a constitution.

Government with insolence is despotism; but when contempt is added it becomes worse; and to pay for contempt is the excess of slavery.

If thou bear it unwillingly, thou makest a burden for thyself and greatly increaseth thy load, and yet thou must bear it.

How you do anything is how you do everything.

It is never wrong to do the right thing.

Rather be an hour early than a minute late.

No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.

From that event to the close of the war, I never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy, though I always felt more or less anxiety.

There are but few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice.

If a man knows the wherefore of his existence, then the manner of it can take care of itself.

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it

Extreme altruism is no better and no nobler than extreme selfishness; both are mistakes.

Do, every day, all that you can do that day, and do each act in an efficient manner.

Do all that you can do in a perfect manner every day, but do it without haste, worry, or fear. Go as fast as you can, but never hurry.

Marshall's statement cannot be read to mean in any sense that a President is above the law

Our most dangerous tendency is to expect too much of government, and at the same time do for it too little.

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.

Look before you leap.

None knows the weight of another's burden.

If you want a thing done, do it yourself.

I looked in your cup to see if you had enough. You looked in mine to check if I had more than you. That difference says everything. We are not the same.