I am ashamed to see what a shallow village tale our so-called history is.

Action is with the scholar subordinate, but it is essential. Without it, he is not yet man. Without it, thought can never ripen into truth.

The student is to read history actively and not passively; to esteem his own life the text, and books the commentary. Thus compelled, the muse of history will utter oracles as never to those who do not respect themselves.

I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.

Whilst we want cities as the centres where the best things are found, cities degrade us by magnifying trifles.

Out from the heart of Nature rolled The burdens of the Bible old.

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.