At times the whole world seems to be in conspiracy to importune you with emphatic trifles.

When the Master of the universe has points to carry in his government he impresses his will in the structure of minds.

The new statement will comprise the skepticisms, as well as the faiths of society, and out of unbeliefs a creed shall be formed. For, skepticisms are not gratuitous or lawless, but are limitations of the affirmative statement, and the new philosophy must take them in, and make affirmations outside of them, just as much as must include the oldest beliefs.

Good writing is a kind of skating which carries off the performer where he would not go, and is only right admirable when to all its beauty and speed a subserviency to the will, like that of walking, is added.

The finest wits have their sediment.

I find nothing in fables more astonishing than my experience in every hour. One moment of a man's life is a fact so stupendous as to take the luster out of fiction.

The best nations are those most widely related; and navigation, as effecting a world-wide mixture, is the most potent advancer ofnations.