People are always talking about originality; but what do they mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work upon us; and this goes on to the end. And after all, what can we call our own, except energy, strength, and will? If I could give an account of all that I owe to great predecessors and contemporaries, there would be but a small balance in my favor.

Assuredly there is no more lovely worship of God than that for which no image is required, but which springs up in our breast spontaneously when nature speaks to the soul, and the soul speaks to nature face to face.

If you treat men the way they are you never improve them. If you treat them the way you want them to be, you do.

Be above it! Make the world serve your purpose, but do not serve it.

Tolerance should really only be a passing attitude: it should lead to appreciation. To tolerate is to offend.

Each ten years of a man's life has its own fortunes, its own hopes, its own desires.

Divide and rule, a sound motto. Unite and lead, a better one.