The key to the age may be this, or that, or the other, as the young orators describe; the key to all ages is - Imbecility; imbecility in the vast majority of men, at all times, and, even in heroes, in all but certain eminent moments; victims of gravity

There never was a strong character that was not made strong by discipline of the will; there never was a strong people that did not rank subordination and discipline among the signal virtues. Subjection to moods is the mark of a deteriorating morality. There is no baser servitude than that of the man whose caprices are his masters, and a nation composed of such men could not long preserve its liberties.

Love, and you shall be loved.

Do not speak of God much. After a very little conversation on the highest nature, thought deserts us and we run into formalism.

The right eloquence needs no bell to call the people together, and no constable to keep them.

Science always goes abreast with the just elevation of the man, keeping step with religion and metaphysics; or, the state of science is an index of our self-knowledge.

Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade, in short in all management of human affairs.