"Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in."

"The people of these United States are the rightful masters of both Congresses and courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution."

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

"I have been a good boy, and have not been in anybody's way, or in anybody's debt."

"When you have got an elephant by the hind leg, and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run."