Everything that is popular, it has been said, deserves the attention of philosophers: and this is for the obvious reason, that although it may not be of any worth in itself, yet it characterizes the people.

We expect a great man to be a good reader.

All great men come out of the middle classes.

Cities give not the human senses room enough. We go out daily and nightly to feed the eyes on the horizon, and require so much scope, just as we need water for our bath.

Nature does not cocker us: we are children, not pets: she is not fond: everything is dealt to us without fear or favor, after severe universal laws.

Every man's task [his 'great dream' and impassioned life-goal] is his life preserver.

The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops - no, but the kind of man the country turns out.