If one but tell a thing well, it moves on with undying voice, and over the fruitful earth and across the sea goes the bright gleam of noble deeds ever unquenchable.

We know how to speak many falsehoods which resemble real things, but we know, when we will, how to speak true things.

Instead of speaking saintly words we must act them.

Great wisdom is generous, petty wisdom is contentious. Great speech is impassioned, small speech in cantankerous.

It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them.

The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don’t agree with.

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.

It is absurd to hold that a man ought to be ashamed of being unable to defend himself with his limbs, but not of being unable to defend himself with speech and reason.

The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak.