The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

A government afraid of its citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny!

There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.

An aristocracy in a republic is like a chicken whose head has been cut off; it may run about in a lively way, but in fact it is dead.

Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.

Law describes the way things would work if men were angels.

Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it.

That is why we fight - in hopes of a day when we no longer need to.

We tend to get what we expect.

I fight on. I fight to win.

Good laws lead to the making of better ones; bad ones bring about worse.

Military justice is to justice what military music is to music.

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

Every unpunished murder takes away something from the security of every man's life.

While the State exists there can be no freedom; when there is freedom there will be no State.

Patriots always talk of dying for their country but never of killing for their country.

Information is the currency of democracy.

No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition.

Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

How fortunate for leaders that men do not think.