Wendell Phillips
Neither do I acknowledge the right of Plymouth to the whole rock. No, the rock underlies all America: it only crops out here.Collection: Rocks
The work resembles a breech delivery-one which is expressed in rhythmic lurches, stabs of phrase and vocal ornamentation designed to express agitation rather than decorative grace.Collection: Grace
Republics exist only on the tenure of being constantly agitated.... There is no republican road to safety but in constant distrust.Collection: Safety
Brains and character rule the world. The most distinguished Frenchman of the last century said: Men succeed less by their talents than their character. There were scores of men a hundred years ago who had more intellect than Washington. He outlives and overrides them all by the influence of his character.Collection: Character
The best use of good laws is to teach men to trample bad laws under their feet.Collection: Men
On a single winged word hath hung the destiny of nations.Collection: Inspirational
Our agitation, you know, helps keep yours alive in the rank and file.Collection: War
Freedom to preach was first gained, dragging in its train freedom to print.Collection: Firsts
Example acquires tenfold authority when it speaks from the grave.Collection: Example
Take the whole range of imaginative literature, and we are all wholesale borrowers. In every matter that relates to invention, to use, or beauty or form, we are borrowers.Collection: Beauty
Politics is but the common pulse-beat, of which revolution is the fever-spasm.Collection: Political
A large body of people, sufficient to make a nation, have come to the conclusion that they will have a government of a certain form. Who denies them the right? Standing with the principles of '76 behind us, who can deny them the right? ... I maintain on the principles of '76 that Abraham Lincoln has no right to a soldier in Fort Sumter. ... You can never make such a war popular. ... The North never will endorse such a war.Collection: War
Politicians are like the bones of a horse's foreshoulder-not a straight one in it.Collection: Horse
Revolutions never go backwards.Collection: Revolution
Republics exist only on tenure of being agitated.Collection: Republic
Revolution is the only thing, the only power, that ever worked out freedom for any people. The powers that have ruled long and learned to love ruling, will never give up that prerogative until they must, till they see the certainty of overthrow and destruction if they do not. To plant-to revolutionize-these are the twin stars that have ruled our pathway. What have we then to dread in the word Revolution-we, the children of rebels!Collection: Stars
The heart beats louder and the soul hears quicker in silence and solitude.Collection: Heart
War and Niagara thunder to a music of their own.Collection: War
Insurrection of thought always precedes the insurrection of arms.Collection: Arms
Sin is not taken out of man, as Eve was out of Adam, by putting him to sleep.Collection: Taken
Government began in tyranny and force, began in the feudalism of the soldier and bigotry of the priest; and the ideas of justice and humanity have been fighting their way, like a thunderstorm, against the organized selfishness of human nature.Collection: Fighting