Early in life, at East Salem, I learned about the unhappiness of others.
Misguided lives are powerful guideposts.
In the wilderness I found something mystic, something out of self for self. It taught me to be legally self.
In Springfield, I studied its citizens, its girls and women; I found that being an outsider was wise.
My wisdom is indeed my misfortune.
The White House
2/15/65
Yesterday a woman came to me, crying, sobbing, pleading for the release of one of her sons from service, since her husband and three sons were in the army.
I wrote a discharge for one of her sons and gave her instructions where to go and what to say, to get her lad released.