We learn to curb our will and keep our overt actions within the bounds of humanity, long before we can subdue our sentiments and imaginations to the same mild tone.

True independence of character empowers us to act rather than be acted upon.

Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.

The higher the stakes, the greater the temptation to lose your temper.

To have serpentlike qualities devoid of dovelike qualities is to be passionless, mean, and selfish.

Step on my toe. Must I curse? I may. Must I forgive you? I may. Must I yell? I may. Must I smile? I may. What I do will reflect my character, but it is "I" who will act and not just react like a bell ringing when a button is pushed.

Anger looks down from the judge's perch; wisdom comes down from those heights and looks up from below. Humility captures it.

Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing.

When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.

Power controlled or abridged is almost always the rival and enemy of that power by which it is controlled or abridged.

I just didn't want to get out there anymore; I didn't want to get back into what I call 'the swamp.' And the other reason why is I don't think it's good for the presidency for a former president to be opining about his successor. President Obama's got plenty of critics - and I'm just not gonna be one.

The mastery of nature is vainly believed to be an adequate substitute for self mastery.