When a child can be brought to tears, not from fear of punishment, but from repentance for his offence, he needs no chastisement. When the tears begin to flow from grief at one's own conduct, be sure there is an angel nestling in the bosom.

Education is a capital to the poor man, and an interest to the rich man.

Jails and prisons are the complement of schools; so many less as you have of the latter, so many more must you have of the former.

As an innovation... the establishment of Free Schools was the boldest ever promulgated, since the commencement of the Christian era... Time has ratified its soundness. Two centuries proclaim it to be as wise as it was courageous, as beneficient as it was disinterested. It was one of those grand mental and moral experiments... The sincerity of our gratitude must be tested by our efforts to perpetuate and improve what they established. The gratitude of the lips only is an unholy offering.

Seek not greatness, but seek truth and you will find both.

You may as well borrow a person's money as his time.

Give me a house furnished with books rather than furniture! Both, if you can, but books at any rate!