But, if we explore the literature of Heroism, we shall quickly come to Plutarch, who is its Doctor and historian. To him we owe the Brasidas, the Dion, the Epaminodas, the Scipio of old, and I must think we are more deeply indebted to him than to all the ancient writers. Each of his "Lives" is a refutation to the despondency and cowardice of our religious and political theorists. A wild courage, a Stoicism not of the schools, but of the blood, shines in every anecdote, and had given that book immense fame.

A nation, like a tree, does not thrive well till it is engraffed with a foreign stock.

Our distrust is very expensive.

Every man is a consumer, and ought to be a producer. He is by constitution expensive, and needs to be rich.

The wise man, the true friend, the finished character, we seek everywhere, and only find in fragments.

Every man has a choice between love of truth and love of repose. Love of repose brings him a solid reputation and peaceful life; love of truth keeps him in suspense. A man who loves truth respects the highest law of his being.

Aristotle and Plato are reckoned the respective heads of two schools. A wise man will see that Aristotle platonizes.