I call that mind free which jealously guards its intellectual rights and powers, which calls no man master, which does not content itself with a passive or hereditary faith, which opens itself to light whencesoever it may come, which receives new truth as an angel from Heaven.
William Ellery ChanningTo give a generous hope to a man of his own nature, is to enrich him immeasurably.
William Ellery ChanningFix your eyes on perfection and you make almost everything speed towards it.
William Ellery ChanningUndoubtedly a man is to labor to better his condition, but first to better himself.
William Ellery ChanningScience and art may invent splendid modes of illuminating the apartments of the opulent; but these are all poor and worthless compared with the common light which the sun sends into all our windows, which he pours freely, impartially over hill and valley, which kindles daily the eastern and western sky; and so the common lights of reason, and conscience, and love, are of more worth and dignity than the rare endowments which give celebrity to a few.
William Ellery Channing