The real argument against aristocracy is that it always means the rule of the ignorant. For the most dangerous of all forms of ignorance is ignorance of work.

Humility is the mother of giants.

THERE are no wise few; for in all men rages the folly of the Fall. Take your strongest, happiest, handsomest, best born, best bred, best instructed men on earth and give them special power for half an hour and because they are men they will begin to [perform] badly.

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

The historic glory of America lies in the fact that it is the one nation that was founded like a church. That is, it was founded on a faith that was not merely summed up after it had exited, but was defined before it existed.

All true friendliness begins with fire and food and drink and the recognition of rain or frost.

Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before.