We despair of changing the habits of men, still we would alter institutions, the habits of millions of men.

Ten builders rear an arch, each in turn lifting it higher; but it is the tenth man, who drops in the keystone, who hears our huzzas.

A tree nowhere offers a straight line or a regular curve, but who doubts that root, trunk, boughs, and leaves embody geometry?

Nothing cools so fast as undue enthusiasm. Water that has boiled freezes sooner than any other.

Degree is much: the whole Atlantic might be lukewarm and never boil us a potato.

Is any knowledge worthless? Try to think of an example.

Let truth be a banner big enough to hide the man who holds it up.