There might have been a hundred or a thousand life-bearing planets, had the course of evolution of the universe been a little different, or there might have been none at all. They would probably add, that, as life and man have been produced, that shows that their production was possible; and therefore, if not now then at some other time, if not here then in some other planet of some other sun, we should be sure to have come into existence; or if not precisely the same as we are, then something a little better or a little worse.

Civilisation has ever accompanied emigration and conquest - the conflict of opinion, of religion, or of race

I hold with Henry George, that at the back of every great social evil will be found a great political wrong

To the mass of mankind religion of some kind is a necessity

In my solitude I have pondered much on the incomprehensible subjects of space, eternity, life and death.

Truth is born into this world only with pangs and tribulations, and every fresh truth is received unwillingly. To expect the world to receive a new truth, or even an old truth, without challenging it, is to look for one of those miracles which do not occur.

If this is not done, future ages will certainly look back upon us as a people so immersed in the pursuit of wealth as to be blind to higher considerations.