If there is one fact we really can prove, from the history that we really do know, it is that despotism can be a development, often a late development and very often indeed the end of societies that have been highly democratic. A despotism may almost be defined as a tired democracy. As fatigue falls on a community, the citizens are less inclined for that eternal vigilance which has truly been called the price of liberty; and they prefer to arm only one single sentinel to watch the city while they sleep.

The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind.

if a man would make his world large, he must be always making himself small.

There is no obligation on us to be richer, or busier, or more efficient, or more productive, or more progressive, or any way worldlier or wealthier, if it does not make us happier.

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.

The one created thing which we cannot look at is the one thing in the light of which we look at everything.

The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.