The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops – no, but the kind of man the country turns out. Our people are slow to learn the wisdom of sending character instead of talent to Congress. Again and again they have sent a man of great acuteness, […]

A character is like an acrostic or Alexandrian stanza; – read it forward, backward, or across, it still spells the same thing.

Human character evermore publishes itself. You think, because you have spoken nothing when others spoke, and have given no opinion on the times, on the church, on slavery, on marriage, on socialism, on secret societies, on the college, on parties and persons, that your verdict is still expected with curiosity as a reserved wisdom. Far […]

A character is like an acrostic or Alexandrian stanza; read it forward, backward, or across, it still spells the same thing.

The force of character is cumulative.

There are geniuses in trade, as well as in war, or the state, or letters; and the reason why this or that man is fortunate, is not to be told. It lies in the man: that is all anybody can tell you about it. See him, and you will know as easily why he succeeds, […]