Men become superstitious, not because they have too much imagination, but because they are not aware that they have any.

Philosophy may describe unreasoning, as it may describe force; it cannot hope to refute them.

The existence of any evil anywhere at any time absolutely ruins a total optimism.

An operation that eventually kills may be technically successful, and the man may die cured; and so a description of religion thatshowed it to be madness might first show how real and warm it was, so that if it perished, at least it would perish understood.

It would be hard to conceive a system of instincts more nicely adjusted, where the constituents should represent or support one another better. The husband has an interest in protecting the wife, she in serving the husband. The weaker gains in authority and safety, the wilder and more unconcerned finds a help-mate at home to take thought of his daily necessities. Parents lend children their experience and a vicarious memory; children endow their parents with a vicarious immortality.

It would hardly be possible to exaggerate man's wretchedness if it were not so easy to overestimate his sensibility

Science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, common sense rounded out and minutely articulated.