Ages when custom is unsettled are necessarily ages of prophecy. The moralist cannot teach what is revealed; he must reveal what can be taught. He has to seek insight rather than to preach.

I do not despise genius-indeed, I wish I had a basketful of it. But yet, after a great deal of experience and observation, I have become convinced that industry is a better horse to ride than genius. It may never carry any man as far as genius has carried individuals, but industry-patient, steady, intelligent industry-will carry thousands into comfort, and even celebrity; and this it does with absolute certainty.

The mass of the reading public is not interested in learning and assimilating the results of accurate investigation.

We know that it is possible to harness desire to many interests, that evil is one form of a desire, and not the nature of it.

Men who are orthodox when they are young are in danger of being middle-aged all their lives.

To understand is not only to pardon, but in the end to love.

The consent of the governed" is more than a safeguard against ignorant tyrants: it is an insurance against benevolent despots as well.