Franklin may . . . be considered one of the founding fathers of American democracy, since no democratic government can last long without conciliation and compromise.

If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worthwhile.

He [Columbus] enjoyed long stretches of pure delight such as only a seaman may know, and moments of high, proud exultation that only a discoverer can experience.

Dream dreams and write them aye, but live them first.

A few hints as to the craft may be useful to budding historians. First and foremost, get writing!

Historical methodology, as I see it, is a product of common sense applied to circumstances.

Skepticism is an important historical tool. It is the starting point of all revision of hitherto accepted history.

An historian should yield himself to his subject, become immersed in the place and period of his choice, standing apart from it now and then for a fresh view.

The cruel policy initiated by Columbus and pursued by his successors resulted in complete genocide.

America was named after a man who discovered no part of the New World. History is like that, very chancy.

No big modern war has been won without preponderant sea power; and, conversely, very few rebellions of maritime provinces have succeeded without acquiring sea power.

To do no evil is good, to intend none better.

Comedy is often about pain.

Birth is the start of loneliness and loneliness the start of poetry.

If you wish to grow thinner, diminish your dinner, And take to light claret instead of pale ale; Look down with an utter contempt upon butter, And never touch bread till its toasted--or stale.

The whole concert of animate nature arose entirely from annoying noises.

Success demands paranoia.

I want to visit Memory Lane, I don't want to live there.

There's a lotta things about me you don't know anything about, Dottie. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't understand.

My mother would take me to jazz concerts in the park and everybody was smoked out. She gave me the intro and then she forced me to play an instrument to keep me out of trouble.

Worship and worry cannot live in the same heart: they are mutually exclusive.