“When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself”

“That monarch does not have the right to commit wrongdoing, not even one ounce of it. He only has the right to lead and to the basic necessities of life, or a little more, not to do whatever he pleases or to tyrannize the people.”

“If a man be gloomy, let him keep to himself. No one has a right to go croaking about society, or, what is worse, looking as if he stifled grief.”

“He who leads troops has no right to think about himself.”

“Every man always has handy a dozen glib little reasons why he is right not to sacrifice himself.”

“In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the State has undertaken to provide it, is a right that must be made available to all on equal terms.”

“It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready.”

“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”

“A man's life is interesting primarily when he has failed — I well know. For it's a sign that he tried to surpass himself.”

“The thing to do when one feels sure that he has said or done the right thing and is condemned, is to stand still and keep quiet. If he is right, time will show it.”