The progression of emancipation of any class usually, if not always, takes place through the efforts of individuals of that class.

I hope and believe my co-religionists understand and admit that I disclaim their theology in toto, and that by no twisting of language or darkening of its meanings can I be made to have any thing whatever in common with them about religious matters... they must take my word for it that there is nothing in common between their theology and my philosophy.

Leisure, some degree of it, is necessary to the health of every man's spirit.

Happiness consists in the full employment of our faculties in some pursuit.

influence which is given on the side of money is usually against truth.

There have been few things in my life which have had a more genial effect on my mind than the possession of a piece of land.

When once experience taught me that I could work when I chose, and within a quarter of an hour of my determining to do so, I was relieved, in a great measure, from those embarrassments and depressions which I see afflicting many an author who waits for a mood instead of summoning it, and is the sport, instead of the master, of his own impressions and ideas.