All quotes

All letters, methinks, should be free and easy as one's discourse; not studied as an oration, nor made up of hard words like a charm.

How I should love that plain-heartedness you speak of, if you would use it; nothing is civil but that amongst friends.

It is not kind in you to desire an increase of my friendship; that is to doubt it is not as great already as it can be, than which you cannot do me a greater injury.

One may be happy to a good degree, I think, in a faithful friend, a moderate fortune, and a retired life; further than this I know nothing to wish; but if there be anything beyond it, I wish it you.

a real kindness is so far beyond all compliment, that it never appears more than when there is least of t'other mingled with it

It decrees that we, the people, elect leaders not to rule but to serve.

Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.

To separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone.

in the field of public education the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.

Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State.

Our answer is this: a denial of constitutionally protected rights demands judicial protection; our oath and our office require no less of us.

Our constitutional system amply provides for the protection of minorities by means other than giving them majority control of state legislatures.

To the extent that a citizen's right to vote is debased, he is that much less a citizen.

The Amendment must draw its meaning from the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society.

The basic concept underlying the Eighth Amendment is nothing less than the dignity of man.

When the Government acts to take away the fundamental right of citizenship, the safeguards of the Constitution should be examined with special diligence.

Each time you happen to me all over again.

When I see the spirit of liberty in action, I see a strong principle at work; and this, for a while, is all I can possibly know of it.

Our attempts to banish this importunate duty will only make it return upon us again and again, and every time in a shape more unpleasant than the former.

The economy of injustice is to furnish resources for the fund of corruption.

A boy of spirit may acquire a previous and practical experience of the world; and his playfellows may be the future friends of his heart or his interest.

The style shall be simple and familiar; but style is the image of character; and the habits of correct writing may produce, without labour or design, the appearance of art and study.

Life is not only short, but uncertain, and art is not only long, but absorbing.

There are probably as many different dialects for the heart as for the tongue, are there not?