The historian must not try to know what is truth, if he values his honesty; for if he cares for his truths, he is certain to falsify his facts.

History is only a value of relation.

I have written too much history to have faith in it; and if anyone thinks I'm wrong, I am inclined to agree with him.

If Thought is capable of being classed with Electricity, or Will with chemical affinity, as a mode of motion, it seems necessary to fall at once under the second law of thermodynamics as one of the energies which most easily degrades itself, and, if not carefully guarded, returns bodily to the cheaper form called Heat. Of all possible theories, this is likely to prove the most fatal to Professors of History.

A certain secret jealousy of the British Minister is always lurking in the breast of every American Senator, if he is truly democratic; for democracy, rightly understood, is the government of the people, by the people, for the benefit of Senators, and there is always a danger that the British Minister may not understand this political principle as he should.

I hate photographs abstractly, because they have given me more ideas perversely and immovably wrong, than I ever should get by imagination.

If I grapple with sin in my own strength, the devil knows he may go to sleep.