The duty of man is the same in respect to his own nature as in respect to the nature of all other things, namely not to follow it but to amend it.

Almost all rich veins of original and striking speculation have been opened by systematic half-thinkers.

A people among whom there is no habit of spontaneous action for a collective interest - who look habitually to their government to command or prompt them in all matters of joint concern - who expect to have everything done for them, except what can be made an affair of mere habit and routine - have their faculties only half developed; their education is defective in one of its most important branches.

To discover to the world something which deeply concerns it, and of which it was previously ignorant; to prove to it that it had been mistaken on some vital point of temporal or spiritual interest, is as important a service as a human being can render to his fellow creatures.

Pleasure and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as ends.

A great statesman is he who knows when to depart from traditions, as well as when to adhere to them.

The United States is no more a Christian nation because most of its citizens are Christians than it is a 'white' nation because most of its citizens are white. We are Americans because we practice democracy and believe in republican government, not because we practice revealed religion and believe in Bible-based government.