“Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions any more than our opinions in physics or geometry...”

“Reality is harsh to the feet of shadows. But will you come?”

“...never [enter] into dispute or argument with another. I never saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing the other by argument. I have seen many, on their getting warm, becoming rude, & shooting one another. ... When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it? His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion? ... There are two classes of disputants most frequently to be met with among us. The first is of young students, just entered the threshold of science, with a first view of its outlines, not yet filled up with the details & modifications which a further progress would bring to their knoledge. The other consists of the ill-tempered & rude men in society, who have taken up a passion for politics. ... Consider yourself, when with them, as among the patients of Bedlam, needing medical more than moral counsel. Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially on politics. In the fevered state of our country, no good can ever result from any attempt to set one of these fiery zealots to rights, either in fact or principle. They are determined as to the facts they will believe, and the opinions on which they will act. Get by them, therefore, as you would by an angry bull; it is not for a man of sense to dispute the road with such an animal.”

“Too often we judge people based on our own backgrounds and experiences, but when you understand people's stories, it's easier to understand their demeanor.”

“If you are worried about the people outside, the most unreasonable thing you can do is remain outside yourself. Christians are Christ's body...every addition to that body enables Him to do more. If you want to help those outside you must add your own little cell to the body of Christ who along can help them. Cutting off a man's fingers would be a odd way of getting him to do more work.”

“I will say positive, hopeful things no matter how I feel.”

“A person who refuses to give up will always succeed, eventually. Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he succeeded. NBA superstar Michael Jordan was once cut from his high school basketball team. After his first audition, screen legend Fred Astaire received the following assessment from an MGM executive: “Can’t act. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.” 

“God is excited about your future, and I hope you are also. Don’t let the discouragement of the past steal the amazing future that is yours.”

“To achieve your dreams, you must embrace adversity and make failure a regular part of your life. If you're not failing, you're probably not really moving forward.”

“To be successful is to be helpful, caring, and constructive, to make everything and everyone you touch a little bit better. The best thing you have to give is yourself.”

“All great truths are simple in final analysis, and easily understood; if they are not, they are not great truths.”

“The most secretive news that can make you to shake hands with great people is humility. Pride on the other way is a dream killer.”

“There are four simple steps which lead to the habit of persistence. They call for no great amount of intelligence, no particular amount of education, and but little time or effort. The necessary steps are:—       1.   A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfillment.       2.   A definite plan, expressed in continuous action.       3.   A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.       4.   A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.”

“Some one dear to one can be loved with human love; but an enemy can only be loved with divine love.”

“Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility . . . In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take on responsibility.”