Leland Stanford

"The human spirit is capable of remarkable things."

"Work is dignity; idleness is shame."

"The greatest discovery is within oneself."

"Philosophy teaches us how to live well."

"Literature opens windows to other worlds."

"Truth is the foundation of trust."

"The true test of a civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, but the kind of man the country turns out."

"I have always believed that education is the foundation upon which all progress rests."

"Labor is the wealth of man. The greater his capacity for labor, the greater his ability to create value."

"A university should expand the mind and prepare the student for the responsibilities of citizenship."

"The spirit of progress cannot be confined to material advancement alone."

"In the execution of public duty, one must never lose sight of the common good."

"Wealth is not merely the accumulation of gold, but the development of human potential."

"I have endeavored to teach that idleness is the enemy of both body and mind."

"The railroad is not merely a commercial enterprise; it is a great civilizing force."

"Character is what remains when fortune fades away."

"A man's greatest legacy is not what he leaves in his bank account, but what he instills in the minds of others."

"Progress requires courage to challenge the established order."

"The future belongs to those who are willing to work for it."

"Commerce and industry are the true drivers of human advancement."

"I have sought to build institutions that will long outlive me."

"The mind, when properly cultivated, can achieve almost anything."

"One must approach business with the same moral principles as one approaches life."

"Great enterprises are not born of timidity, but of bold vision."

"The measure of a man is not his wealth, but his contributions to society."

"Education is the most powerful tool for lifting people from poverty."

"I have always believed in the power of practical knowledge combined with theoretical understanding."

"The development of the West was made possible by visionary men willing to take great risks."

"A university must serve not just the elite, but all people who seek knowledge."

"The true wealth of nations lies in the intelligence and virtue of its people."