Laughter is one of the very privileges of reason, being confined to the human species.
A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
Doubt, of whatever kind, can be ended by action alone.
Force, force, everywhere force; we ourselves a mysterious force in the centre of that. "There is not a leaf rotting on the highway but has Force in it: how else could it rot?" [As used in his time, by the word force, Carlyle means energy.]
War is a quarrel between two thieves too cowardly to fight their own battle.
Happy season of childhood! Kind Nature, that art to all a bountiful mother; that visitest the poor man's hut With auroral radiance; and for thy nursling hast provided a soft swathing of love and infinite hope wherein he waxes and slumbers, danced round by sweetest dreams!