A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.
Chinese Proverb

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.
Abigail Van Buren

Let every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution never to violate, in the least particular, the laws of the country and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of '76 did to the support of the declaration of independence, so to the support of the constitution and laws, let every American pledge his life, his prosperity and his sacred honor. Let every man remember that to violate the laws is to trample on the blood of his fathers and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap. Let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in the legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. In short, let it become the political religion of the nation.
Abraham Lincoln

My friends: No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good- let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.
Abraham Lincoln : American statesman (16th President: 1861-65), assassinated following Civil War
Abraham Lincoln

5 I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has.
Abraham Lincoln : American statesman (16th President: 1861-65), assassinated following Civil War
Abraham Lincoln

6 When an opponent declares, "I will not come over to your side," I calmly say, "Your child belongs to us already. . . . What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community."
Adolf Hitler
Source: 1933, quoted in The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,

7 Happy bridegroom, Hesper brings All desired and timely things. All whom morning sends to roam, Hesper loves to lead them home. Home return who him behold, Child to mother, sheep to fold, Bird to nest from wandering wide: Happy bridegroom, seek your bride.
Alfred Edward Housman : English classical scholar & poet
A.E. Housman



8 Child of mortality, whence comest thou? Why is thy countenance sad, and why are thine eyes red with weeping?
Aikin Barbauld
Source: Hymns in Prose. xiii. hope


9 Africa, help me to go home, carry me like an aged child in your arms. Undress me and wash me. Strip me of all of these garments, strip me as a man strips off dreams when the dawn comes. . . .
Aime Cesaire


10 Say not that honor is the child of boldness, nor believe thou that the hazard of life alone can pay the price of it: it is not to the action that it is due, but to the manner of performing it.
Akhnaton
Source: title taken by Amenhotep IV