“In charity to all mankind, bearing no malice or ill will to any human being, and even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men, not knowing what they do.”

“To believe all men honest would be folly. To believe none so, is something worse.”

“To furnish the means of acquiring knowledge is ... the greatest benefit that can be conferred upon mankind. It prolongs life itself and enlarges the sphere of existence.”

“Though it cost the blood of millions of white men, let it come. Let justice be done.”

“We understand now, we've been made to understand, and to embrace the understanding that who we are is who we were.”

“Posterity -- you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”

“Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”