In the great books of India, an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence, which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the questions that exercise us.

A Judge may be a farmer; but he is not to geld his own pigs.

Plato says that the punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is, to live under the government of worse men; and the like regret is suggested to all the auditors, as the penalty of abstaining to speak,--that they shall hear worse orators than themselves.

Who can . . . guess how much industry and providence and affection we have caught from the pantomime of brutes?

If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument

Nothing can be colder than his head, when the lightnings of his imagination are playing in the sky.

The secret in education lies in respecting the student.