Uncompromising thought is the luxury of the closeted recluse. Untrammeled reasoning is the indulgence of the philosopher, of the dreamer of sweet dreams.

The only thing that saves the world is the little handful of disinterested men that are in it.

To be free is not necessarily to be wise. Wisdom comes with counsel, with the frank and free conference of untrammeled men united in the common interest.

No task, rightly done, is truly private. It is part of the world s work.

The wisest thing to do with a fool is to encourage him to hire a hall and discourse to his fellow citizens. Nothing chills nonsense like exposure to the air.

Never murder a man when he's busy committing suicide.

Some Americans need hyphens in their names, because only part of them has come over; but when the whole man has come over, heart and thought and all, the hyphen drops of its own weight out of his name.

I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow.

There is no indispensable man. The government will not collapse and go to pieces if any one of the gentlemen who are seeking to be entrusted with its guidance should be left at home.

I firmly believe in divine Providence. Without belief in Providence I think I should go crazy. Without God the earth would be a maze without a clue.