Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable. – Lord Chesterfield
Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny. – Carl Schurz, address, Faneuil Hall, Boston, 1859
I trust, that your readers will not construe my words to mean, that I would not have gone to a 3 oclock in the morning session, for the sake of defeating the Nebraska bill. – Gerrit Smith
