It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours.

Undoubtedly a man is to labor to better his condition, but first to better himself.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony.

One of the tremendous evils of the world, is the monstrous accumulation of power in a few hands.

God is another name for human intelligence raised above all error and imperfection, and extended to all possible truth.

Books are true levelers. They give to all, who will faithfully use them, the society, the spiritual presence, of the best and greatest of our race.

War will never yield but to the principles of universal justice and love, and these have no sure root but in the religion of Jesus Christ.