It is remarkable how long men will believe in the bottomlessness of a pond without taking the trouble to sound it.

What is once well done is done forever.

There would be this advantage in traveling in your own country, even in your own neighborhood, that you would be so thoroughly prepared to understand what you saw you would make fewer traveler's mistakes.

If it is necessary, omit one bridge over the river, go round a little there, and throw one arch at least over the darker gulf of ignorance which surrounds us.

We seem to think that the earth must go through the ordeal of sheep-pasturage before it is habitable by man.

A man is wise with the wisdom of his time only, and ignorant with its ignorance.

The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.