Be inspired with the belief that life is a great and noble calling; not a mean and groveling thing that we are to shuffle through as we can, but an elevated and lofty destiny.

[The British constitution] presumes more boldly than any other the good sense and the good faith of those who work it.

Censure and criticism never hurt anybody. If false, they can't hurt you unless you are wanting in manly character; and if true, they show a man his weak points, and forewarn him against failure and trouble.

The book must of necessity be put into a bookcase. And the bookcase must be housed. And the house must be kept. And the library must be dusted, must be arranged, must be catalogued. What a vista of toil, yet not unhappy toil!

Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear.

The ravages of drink are greater than those of war pestilence and famine combined.

Man is to be trained chiefly by studying and by knowing man.