True religion is slow in growth, and, when once planted, is difficult of dislodgement; but its intellectual counterfeit has no root in itself: it springs up suddenly, it suddenly withers.

How can we feel our need of His help, or our dependence on Him, or our debt to Him, or the nature of His gift to us, unless we know ourselves.... This is why many in this age (and in every age) become infidels, heretics, schismatics, disloyal despisers of the Church.... They have never had experience of His power and love, because they have never known their own weakness and need.

I sought to hear the voice of God and climbed the topmost steeple, but God declared: "Go down again - I dwell among the people.

To discover and to teach are distinct functions; they are also distinct gifts, and are not commonly found united in the same person.

It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing.

Stuffing birds or playing stringed instruments is an elegant pastime, and a resource to the idle, but it is not education.

Courage does not consist in calculation, but in fighting against chances.