Every man has a certain sphere of discretion which he has a right to expect shall not be infringed by his neighbours. This right flows from the very nature of man.

The execution of any thing considerable implies in the first place previous persevering meditation.

The proper method for hastening the decay of error, is not, by brute force, or by regulation which is one of the classes of force, to endeavour to reduce men to intellectual uniformity; but on the contrary by teaching every man to think for himself.

Self-respect to be nourished in the mind of the pupil, is one of the most valuable results of a well conducted education.

Obey; this may be right; but beware of reverence.... Government is nothing but regulated force; force is its appropriate claim upon your attention. It is the business of individuals to persuade; the tendency of concentrated strength, is only to give consistency and permanence to an influence more compendious than persuasion.

There can be no passion, and by consequence no love, where there is not imagination.

Learning is the ally, not the adversary of genius... he who reads in a proper spirit, can scarcely read too much.