Charles Sumner Quotes & Sayings

The true grandeur of humanity is in moral elevation, sustained, enlightened and decorated by the intellect of man. — Charles Sumner

Moral excellence is the bright consummate flower of all progress. — Charles Sumner

Can there be in our age any peace that is not honorable, any war that is not dishonorable? — Charles Sumner

I have fought a long battle with slavery; and I confess my solicitude when I see any thing that looks like concession to it. It is not enough to show me that a measure is expedient: you must show me also that it is right. Ah, sir, can any thing be expedient which is not right? From the beginning of our history the country has been afflicted with compromise. It is by compromise that human rights have been abandoned. I insist that this shall cease. The country needs repose after all its trials: it deserves repose. And repose can only be found in everlasting principles. It cannot be found by inserting in your constitution the disfranchisement of a race. — Charles Sumner

I have never known a man who was sensual in his youth, who was high-minded when old. — Charles Sumner

Whether the Union stands or falls, I believe the profession of arms will henceforth be more desirable and more respected than it has been hitherto. — Charles Sumner

The true greatness of nations is in those qualities which constitute the greatness of the individual. — Charles Sumner

Give me the centralism of liberty; give me the imperialism of equal rights. — Charles Sumner

Without knowledge there can be no sure progress. Vice and barbarism are the inseparable companions of ignorance. Nor is it too much to say that, except in rare instances, the highest virtue is attained only through intelligence. — Charles Sumner

Senators undertake to disturb us... by reminding us of the possibility of large numbers swarming from China; but the answer to all this is very obvious and very simple. If the Chinese come here, they will come for citizenship or merely for labor. If they come for citizenship, then in this desire do they give a pledge of loyalty to our institutions; and where is the peril in such vows? They are peaceful and industrious; how can their citizenship be the occasion of solicitude? — Charles Sumner

War is a positive, precise and specific evil, of gigantic proportions ... making within the sphere of its influence all true grandeur impossible. — Charles Sumner

The slave power dares anything, and it can be conquered only by the united masses of the people. From Congress to the people, I appeal. — Charles Sumner

The age of chivalry has gone; the age of humanity has come. — Charles Sumner

Three things at least they [good politicians] must require; the first is back-bone; the second is back-bone; and the third is back-bone. — Charles Sumner

From the beginning of our history the country has been afflicted with compromise. It is by compromise that human rights have been abandoned. — Charles Sumner

The highest greatness, surviving time and stone, is that which proceeds from the soul of man. Monarchs and cabinets, generals and admirals, with the pomp of court and the circumstance of war, in the lapse of time disappear from sight; but the pioneers of truth, though poor and lowly, especially those whose example elevates human nature, and teaches the rights of man, so that "a government of the people, by the people, for the people, may not perish from the earth;" such a harbinger can never be forgotten, and their renown spreads co-extensive with the cause they served so well. — Charles Sumner

The Senator from South Carolina has read many books of chivalry, and believes himself a chivalrous knight, with sentiments of honor and courage. Of course he has chosen a mistress to whom he has made his vows, and who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sight I mean the harlot, Slavery. For her, his tongue is always profuse in words. — Charles Sumner

There are two sorts of pity: one is a balm and the other a poison; the first is realized by our friends, the last by our enemies. — Charles Sumner

If a man has done evil in his life, he must not be complimented in marble. — Charles Sumner

No true and permanent fame can be founded except in labors which promote the happiness of mankind. — Charles Sumner

A nation cannot afford to do a mean thing. — Charles Sumner

There is the National Flag. He must be cold, indeed, who can look upon its folds rippling in the breeze without pride of country. If he be in a foreign land, the flag is companionship and country itself, with all its endearment ... The very colors have a language which was recognized by our fathers; white is for purity; red, for valor; blue, for justice. And altogether, bunting, stripes, stars, and colors, blazing in the sky, make the flag of our country, to be cherished by all our hearts, to be upheld by all our hands. — Charles Sumner

It's Christmas at Ground Zero The button has been pressed The radio Just let us know That this is not a test Everywhere the atom bombs are droppin It's the end of all humanity No more time for last minute shoppin' It's time to face your final destiny. — Charles Sumner

The phrase public office is a public trust, has of last become common property. — Charles Sumner

Give me the money that has been spent in war and I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens will be proud. I will build a schoolhouse in every valley over the whole earth. I will crown every hillside with a place of worship consecrated to peace. — Charles Sumner

War crushes with bloody heel all justice, all happiness, all that is Godlike in man. In our age there can be no peace that is not honorable; there can be no war that is not dishonorable. — Charles Sumner

Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final. — Charles Sumner