But the ground of a man's culture lies in his nature, not in his calling. His powers are to be unfolded on account of their inherent dignity, not their outward direction. He is to be educated, because he is a man, not because he is to make shoes, nail, or pins.

Natural amiableness is too often seen in company with sloth, with uselessness, with the vanity of fashionable life.

To extinguish the free will is to strike the conscience with death, for both have but one and the same life.

The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men the opportunity to work out happiness for themselves.

The only freedom worth possessing is that which gives enlargement to a people's energy, intellect, and virtues.

Let us aspire towards this living confidence, that it is the will of God to unfold and exalt without end the spirit that entrusts itself to Him in well-doing as to a faithful Creator.

We smile at the ignorance of the savage who cuts down the tree in order to reach its fruit; but the same blunder is made by every person who is over eager and impatient in the pursuit of pleasure.