It is in the nature of imperialism that citizens of the imperial power are always among the last to know-or care-about circumstances in the colonies.

Africans had to be taught that nudity is wicked; this was done very cheaply by missionaries.

Ethics is in origin the art of recommending to others the sacrifices required for cooperation with oneself.

In the ordinary business of life punctuality is . . . necessary.

The puritanism of Christianity has played havoc with the moderation that an enlightened and tolerant critical spirit would have produced. I've noticed that in whatever country, county, town, or other region there is a regulation enjoining temperance, the population seems to be entirely composed of teetotallers and drunkards. There's a Bible on that shelf there. But I keep it next to Voltaire - poison and antidote.

All the conditions of happiness are realized in the life of the man of science.

Folly is perennial and yet the human race has survived.