Upon the progress of knowledge the whole progress of the human race is immediately dependent: he who retards that, hinders this also.

The person who doubts there is an external world does not need proof: he needs a cure.

Nothing is more destructive of individual character than for a man to lose all faith in his own abilities for the prosecution of his work.

What sort of philosophy one chooses depends on what sort of person one is.

By mere burial man arrives not at bliss; and in the future life, throughout its whole infinite range, they will seek for happiness as vainly as they sought it here, who seek it in aught else than that which so closely surrounds them here - the Infinite

The most reckless sinner against his own conscience has always in the background the consolation that he will go on in this course only this time, or only so long, but that at such a time he will amend. We may be assured that we do not stand clear with our own consciences so long as we determine or project, or even hold it possible, at some future time to alter our course of action.

Humanity may endure the loss of everything; all its possessions may be turned away without infringing its true dignity - all but the possibility of improvement.