Social improvement is attained more readily by a concern with the quality of results than with the purity of motives.

A heresy can spring only from a system that is in full vigor.

Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power.

My writing is done in railroad yards while waiting for a freight, in the fields while waiting for a truck, and at noon after lunch. Towns are too distracting.

The misery of a child is interesting to a mother, the misery of a young man is interesting to a young woman, the misery of an old man is interesting to nobody.

Compassion is the antitoxin of the soul.

Humility is not renunciation of pride but the substitution of one pride for another.