American Quotes

An institution or reform movement that is not selfish, must originate in the recognition of some evil that is adding to the sum of human suffering, or diminishing the sum of happiness.

A ball had passed between my body and the right arm which supported him, cutting through the sleeve and passing through his chest from shoulder to shoulder. There was no more to be done for him and I left him to his rest. I have never mended that hole in my sleeve.

I may sometimes be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay.

Economy, prudence, and a simple life are the sure masters of need, and will often accomplish that which, their opposites, with a fortune at hand, will fail to do.

The patriot blood of my father was warm in my veins.

I have an almost complete disregard of precedent, and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.

When you have something for breakfast, you're not going to be starving by lunch.

The essential element in personal magnetism is a consuming sincerity - an overwhelming faith in the importance of the work one has to do.

Not eating breakfast is the worst thing you can do, that's really the take-home message for teenage girls.

No sex, age, or condition is above or below the absolute necessity of modesty; but without it one vastly beneath the rank of man.

Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity that was at hand.

Many a man who pays rent all his life owns his own home; and many a family has successfully saved for a home only to find itself at last with nothing but a house.

Jesus picked up twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organisation that conquered the world.

It would do the world good if every man would compel himself occasionally to be absolutely alone. Most of the world s progress has come out of such loneliness.

In good times, people want to advertise; in bad times, they have to.

Christ would be a national advertiser today, I am sure, as He was a great advertiser in His own day. He thought of His life as business.

Cereal eating is almost a marker for a healthy lifestyle. It sets you up for the day, so you don't overeat.

Before you give up hope, turn back and read the attacks that were made on Lincoln.

It takes a real storm in the average person's life to make him realize how much worrying he has done over the squalls.

The five steps in teaching an employee new skills are preparation, explanation, showing, observation and supervision.

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.

If you have anything really valuable to contribute to the world it will come through the expression of your own personality, that single spark of divinity that sets you off and makes you different from every other living creature.

Conceit is God's gift to little men.

If you can give your child only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.

When you're through changing, you're through.

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance.

What a curious phenomenon it is that you can get men to die for the liberty of the world who will not make the little sacrifice that is needed to free themselves from their own individual bondage.

When you are through changing, you are through.

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.

Welcome, wild harbinger of spring! To this small nook of earth; Feeling and fancy fondly cling, Round thoughts which owe their birth, To thee, and to the humble spot, Where chance has fixed thy lowly lot.