My father never permitted anything which I learnt to degenerate into a mere exercise of memory. He strove to make the understanding not only go along with every step of the teaching but...precede it.

Stupidity is much the same all the world over

In proportion to the development of his individuality, each person becomes more valuable to himself, and is therefore capable of being more valuable to others. . . .

All errors which a man is likely to commit against advice are far outweighed by the evil of allowing others to constrain him for his good.

No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible until a great change takes place in the fundamental constitution of their modes of thought.

When the land is cultivated entirely by the spade and no horses are kept, a cow is kept for every three acres of land.

There is one plain rule of life. Try thyself unweariedly till thou findest the highest thing thou art capable of doing, faculties and outward circumstances being both duly considered, and then do it.