The essence of true nobility is neglect of self. Let the thought of self pass in, and the beauty of a great action is gone, like the bloom from a soiled flower.

Science rests on reason and experiment, and can meet an opponent with calmness; [but] a creed is always sensitive.

Sacrifice is the first element of religion, and resolves itself in theological language into the love of God.

To deny the freedom of the will is to make morality impossible.

A person possessed with an idea cannot be reasoned with.

The practical effect of a belief is the real test of its soundness.

The superstition of science scoffs at the superstition of faith.