Louis D. Brandeis

Men long for an afterlife in which there apparently is nothing to do but delight in heaven's wonders.

However great his outward conformity, the immigrant is not Americanized unless his interests and affections have become deeply rooted here. And we properly demand of the immigrant even more than this. He must be brought into complete harmony with our ideals and aspirations and cooperate with us for their attainment.

It is not wealth, it is not station, it is not social standing and ambition which can make us worthy of the Jewish name, of the Jewish heritage. To be worthy of them, we must live up to and with them. We must regard ourselves their custodians.

During most of my life, my contact with Jews and Judaism was slight. I gave little thought to their problems, save in asking myself, from time to time, whether we were showing by our lives due appreciation of the opportunities which this hospitable country affords. My approach to Zionism was through Americanism.

Neutrality is at times a graver sin than belligerence.

A man is a better citizen of the United States for being also a loyal citizen of his state and of his city; for being loyal to his family and to his profession or trade; for being loyal to his college or his lodge.

I abhor averages. I like the individual case. A man may have six meals one day and none the next, making an average of three meals per day, but that is not a good way to live.

What are the American ideals? They are the development of the individual for his own and the common good; the development of the individual through liberty; and the attainment of the common good through democracy and social justice.

The world presents enough problems if you believe it to be a world of law and order; do not add to them by believing it to be a world of miracles.

If we would guide by the light of reason we must let our minds be bold.

The difference between a nation and a nationality is clear, but it is not always observed. Likeness between members is the essence of nationality, but the members of a nation may be very different. A nation may be composed of many nationalities, as some of the most successful nations are.

We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and temper; by the manner, which is the man himself.

Organisation can never be a substitute for initiative and for judgement.

If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you.

The logic of words should yield to the logic of realities.

What is Americanization? It manifests itself, in a superficial way, when the immigrant adopts the clothes, the manners and the customs generally prevailing here. Far more important is the manifestation presented when he substitutes for his mother tongue the English language as the common medium of speech.

In the frank expression of conflicting opinions lies the greatest promise of wisdom in governmental action.

There are no shortcuts in evolution.

The most important political office is that of the private citizen.

Let no American imagine that Zionism is inconsistent with patriotism. Multiple loyalties are objectionable only if they are inconsistent.