The laws and conditions of the production of wealth partake of the character of physical truths. There is nothing optional or arbitrary in them ... It is not so with the Distribution of Wealth. That is a matter of human institution solely. The things once there, mankind, individually or collectively, can do with them as they like.

I know tolerably well what Ireland was, but have a very imperfect idea of what Ireland is.

The moral influence of woman over man is almost always salutary.

With equality of experience and of general faculties, a woman usually sees much more than a man of what is immediately before her.

the only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject, is by hearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion, and studying all modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind. No wise man ever acquired his wisdom in any mode but this; nor is it in the nature of human intellect to become wise in any other manner.

Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative.

We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still.