Of all the men who were said to be my contemporaries, it seemed to me that John Brown was the only one who had not died.

In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood.

It is not all books that are as dull as their readers.

To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.

Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.

The theories and speculations of men concern us more than their puny accomplishment. It is with a certain coldness and languor that we loiter about the actual and so-called practical.

To the virtuous man, the universe is the only sanctum sanctorum, and the penetralia of the temple are the broad noon of his existence.