"I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of …"

"Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."

"It is better to be a young man of 60 than an old man of 40."

"I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."

"I am nothing, but truth is everything. I know I cannot be wrong; and yet, how many think I am!"