Given, a man with moderate intellect, a moral standard not higher than the average, some rhetorical affluence and a great glibness of speech, what is the career in which, without the aid of birth or money, he may most easily attain power and reputation in English society? Where is that Goshen of mediocrity in which a smattering of science and learning will pass for profound instruction, where platitudes will be accepted as wisdom, bigoted narrowness as holy zeal, unctuous egoism as God-given piety?

Affection is the broadest basis of a good life.

Women should be protected from anyone's exercise of unrighteous power... but then, so should every other living creature.

It is always good to know, if only in passing, charming human beings. It refreshes one like flowers and woods and clear brooks.

One has to spend many years in learning how to be happy.

Fine art, poetry, that kind of thing, elevates a nation.

All honour and reverence to the divine beauty of form! Let us cultivate it to the utmost in men, women and children -- in our gardens and in our houses. But let us love that other beauty too, which lies in no secret of proportion but in the secret of deep human sympathy.