H.W. Brands

Ben Franklin advises his grandson not to let even the American Revolution interrupt his studies, urging of young adulthood, "This is the time of life in which you are to lay the foundations of your future improvement and of your importance among men. If this season is neglected, it will be like cutting off the spring from the year.

The horizons of man are incomparably narrower than that of the land on which he toils. Editor of the Nebraska journal

I believe the road to preeminent success in any line is to make yourself master IN THAT LINE. I have no faith in the policy of scattering one's resources. Andrew Carnegie

This senate was a place where good Representatives went when they died. Thomas Reed

He had always had a gift for conjuring images in his mind's eye. It was one of the secrets of his military success.

He was a product of a culture where it was generally counterproductive to hold grudges.

His charm was not electric, but it was enveloping.

Accustomed to motion, he was forced to be still.

He was like a man thinking on an abstract subject all the time.

A young mark twain on the make: "I can't turn in inkstand into Aladdin's lamp.

Abilene possessed greater vision, perhaps because it possessed little else.

A live-in domestic worker: "You are never sure that your soul is your own except when you are out of the house.

Reagan to son: how really great is the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life. Any man can find a twerp here and there who will go along with cheating, and it doesn__ take all that much manhood. It does take quite a man to remain attractive and to be loved by a woman who has heard him snore, seen him unshaven, tended him while he was sick and washed his dirty underwear. Do that and keep her still feeling a warm glow and you will know some very beautiful music.

Time after time during the next six months, he would put me together again.

The nature of revolutions is to sweep the reluctant along.

The politics of the possible was being replaced by the politics of purity.

I can see that spark coming back when he talks about the future.

His was a quiet but persistent charisma.