The sure foundations of the state are laid in knowledge, not in ignorance; and every sneer at education, at culture, at book learning, which is the recorded wisdom of the experience of mankind, is the demagogue's sneer at intelligent liberty, inviting national degeneracy and ruin.

Progress begins with the minority. It is completed by persuading the majority, by showing the reason and the of the step forward, and that is accomplished by appealing to the intelligence of the majority.

Every great crisis of human history is a pass of Thermopylae, and there is always a Leonidas and his three hundred to die in it, if they can not conquer.

Life is a rich strain of music, suggesting a realm too fair to be.

Good taste consists first upon fitness.

Virtue does not truly reward her votary if she leaves him sad and half doubtful whether it would not have been better to serve vice.

Imagination is as good as many voyages - and how much cheaper.