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The sort of man you will make of yourself, how you will be regarded by the world, whether people will admire and respect or despise you, whether you win the approval or the condemnation of your Maker - all this is in your own hands.

Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow-men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition is yet to be developed.

If an honest man is the noblest work of God, then Mr. Lincoln's title to high nobility is clear and unquestioned.

If I had any humility I would be perfect.

I will not become a Napoleon nor an Alexander, and labour for my own ambition; but I will labour for freedom and for the moral well-being of man.

I have a personal ambition to live my life honestly and honor the true love that I've had and also the people I've had around me.

I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose, and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard.

If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?

The affairs of America I shall ever look upon as my first business whilst I am in Europe. Any confidence from the king and ministers, any popularity I may have among my own countrymen, any means in my power, shall be, to the best of my skill, and till the end of my life, exerted in behalf of an interest I have so much at heart.

Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.