Seasonal Sayings

Monday, Jan. 20: Martin Luther King's Birthday Observed
The quotes in this section are excerpted from sermons prepared and delivered by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Lincoln's Birthday
"I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes."

- Edward Everett,
the noted orator who gave the featured speech at Gettysburg, writing to Lincoln afterwards on the impact of the much shorter, but now immortal Gettysburg Address.

Friday, Feb. 14: St. Valentine's Day
"Love conquers all things."

—Virgil,
ancient Roman poet

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents' Day Observed
"Great men are not chosen President, firstly, because great men are rare in politics; secondly, because the method of choice does not bring them to the top; thirdly, because they are not, in quiet times, absolutely needed."

—James Bryce, 19th century English historian, commenting on the fairly mediocre run of presidents that followed Abraham Lincoln

Saturday, Feb. 22: George Washington's Birthday
It could "not be but pleasing ... [to a man] who always walked a straight line, and endeavored as far as human frailties, and perhaps strong passions, would enable him, to discharge the relative duties to his Maker and fellow-man, without seeking any direct or left-handed attempts to acquire popularity."

—George Washington - writing to his friend, Bryan Fairfax, in 1799, the year of his death - modestly acknowledging the incredible admiration he had earned during his lifetime