All quotes

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life—to strengthen each other in all labour, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?

Finally we must have courage and self-confidence to cling to our own methods and conceptions of human society. After all, the greatest danger that can befall us in coping with this problem of Soviet communism, is that we shall allow ourselves to become like those with whom we are coping.

A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position.

The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism.

it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by which it might be affected

I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it.

My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.

I have learned already in this office that the difficult decisions always come to this desk.

Theirs is an American tragedy in which we all have played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Fully impressed with the gravity of the duties that confront me and mindful of my weakness, I should be appalled if it were my lot to bear unaided the responsibilities which await me.

The strong man who in the confidence of sturdy health courts the sternest activities of life and rejoices in the hardihood of constant labor may still have lurking near his vitals the unheeded disease that dooms him to sudden collapse.

Government has a right to survive and powers conferred upon it are not necessarily set at naught by the express prohibitions of the Bill of Rights.

The guaranties of civil liberty are but guaranties of freedom of the human mind and spirit and of reasonable freedom and opportunity to express them.

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

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

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.

I accept with humility the honor which the American people have conferred upon me.

In this time of doubt, they look to the United States as never before for good will, strength, and wise leadership.

I can say with conviction that the struggle which evil necessitates is one of the greatest blessings. It makes us strong, patient, helpful men and women.

Optimism that does not count the cost is like a house builded on sand.

A man must understand evil and be acquainted with sorrow before he can write himself an optimist and expect others to believe that he has reason for the faith that is in him.

But I have found out that though the ways in which I can make myself useful are few, yet the work open to me is endless.

Doubt and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.