The first sin in our universe was Lucifer's self conceit.

Every man has a coward and hero in his soul.

Philosophy dwells aloft in the Temple of Science, the divinity of its inmost shrine; her dictates descend among men, but she herself descends not : whoso would behold her must climb with long and laborious effort, nay, still linger in the forecourt, till manifold trial have proved him worthy of admission into the interior solemnities.

Universal history, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here.

Habit is the deepest law of human nature

Great men are the commissioned guides of mankind, who rule their fellows because they are wiser.

Insurrection, never so necessary, is a most sad necessity; and governors who wait for that to instruct them are surely getting into the fatalest course.