The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances.

If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it has to give.

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.

The essence of America - that which really unites us - is not ethnicity or nationality or religion - it is an idea - and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.

Justice is itself the great standing policy of civil society and any eminent departure from it under any circumstances lies under the suspicion of being no policy at all.

I cannot think of any circumstances in which a government can go to war without the support of parliament.

But America was founded on the principle that every person has God-given rights. That power belongs to the people. That government exists to protect our rights and serve our interests.That we shouldn't be trapped in the circumstances of our birth. That we should be free to go as far as our talents and work can take us.

Since you cannot do good to all you are to pay special attention to those who by the accidents of time or place or circumstances are brought into closer connection with you.

Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances or whether you are going to taste it enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.

It is a fact often observed that men have written good verses under the inspiration of passion who cannot write well under other circumstances.