It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. All history will convince you of this, and that wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure.
Great necessities call out great virtues.
The shell is America's most active contribution to the formation of character. A tough hide. Grow it early. Tis true that tho' People can transcend their Characters in Times of Tranquility, they can ne'er do so in Times of Tumult. I never like anyone till I've seen him at his worst.