I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them.

The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind.

[I] put the question directly to myself: "Suppose that all your objects in life were realized; that all the changes in institutions and opinions which you are looking forward to, could be completely effected at this very instant: would this be a great joy and happiness to you?" And an irrepressible self-consciousness distinctly answered, "No!

The great creative individual . . . is capable of more wisdom and virtue than collective man ever can be.

He who does anything because it is the custom, makes no choice.

I am not aware that any community has a right to force another to be civilized.

Political Economy, in truth, has never pretended to give advice to mankind with no lights but its own; though people who knew nothing but political economy (and therefore knew it ill) have taken upon themselves to advise, and could only do so by such lights as they had.