The peculiarity of the evidence of mathematical truths is that all the argument is on one side.

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

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

Next to selfishness the principal cause which makes life unsatisfactory is want of mental cultivation.

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

Unfortunately for the good sense of mankind, the fact of their fallibility is far from carrying the weight in their practical judgement, which is always allowed to it in theory; for while every one well knows himself to be fallible, few think it necessary to take any precautions against their own fallibility.

Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing.