The quote database

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart

The tedium of that work is hard to conceive.

Had it not been for the persistent encouragement of Miss Sullivan, I think I should have given up trying to write altogether.

For, after all, every one who wishes to gain true knowledge must climb the Hill Difficulty alone, and since there is no royal road to the summit, I must zigzag it in my own way.

Once I knew the depth where no hope was, and darkness lay on the face of all things.

There are, however, times when I long to sweep away half the things I am expected to learn; for the overtaxed mind cannot enjoy the treasure it has secured at the greatest cost.

As I look back on my struggle to write that little story, it seems to me that I must have had a prophetic vision of the good that would come of the undertaking, or I should surely have failed.

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.

Joy deserted my heart, and for a long, long time I lived in doubt, anxiety and fear.

Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disfranchised

Their life seems an immense disparity between effort and opportunity.

Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.

If happiness is to be so measured, I who cannot hear or see have every reason to sit in a corner with folded hands and weep.

My share in the work of the world may be limited; but the fact that it is work makes it precious.