Enslave a man and you destroy his ambition, his enterprise, his capacity. In the constitution of human nature, the desire of bettering one's condition is the mainspring of effort. The first touch of slavery snaps this spring.

It is more difficult, and it calls for higher energies of soul, to live a martyr than to die one.

Schoolhouses are the republican line of fortifications.

The object of punishment is, prevention from evil; it never can be made impulsive to good.

So, in the infinitely nobler battle in which you are engaged against error and wrong, if ever repulsed or stricken down, may you always be solaced and cheered by the exulting cry of triumph over some abuse in Church or State, some vice or folly in society, some false opinion or cruelty or guilt which you have overcome! And I beseech you to treasure up in your hearts these my parting words: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.

On entering this world our starting-point is ignorance. None, however, but idiots remain there.

The education already given to the people creates the necessity of giving them more.