The most important office ... that of private citizen.

The most important office ... that of private citizen.

Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let's read more

Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let's stay here. And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one another.

Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need -- not read more

Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need -- not as a call to battle, though embattled we are -- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" -- a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty and war itself.

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

Citizenship comes first today in our crowded world ... No man can enjoy the privileges of education and thereafter with read more

Citizenship comes first today in our crowded world ... No man can enjoy the privileges of education and thereafter with a clear conscience break his contract with society. To respect that contract is to be mature, to strengthen it is to be a good citizen, to do more than your share under it is noble.

Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history

Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history

Citizenship is what makes a republic; monarchies can get along without it

Citizenship is what makes a republic; monarchies can get along without it

The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.

The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.

It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen.

It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen.