If there be such a thing as truth, it must infallibly be struck out by the collision of mind with mind.

Study with desire is real activity; without desire it is but the semblance and mockery of activity.

There is no sphere in which a human being can be supposed to act where one mode of reasoning will not, in every given instance, be more reasonable than any other mode. That mode the being is bound by every principle of justice to pursue.

The philosophy of the wisest man that ever existed, is mainly derived from the act of introspection.

The virtue of a human being is the application of his capacity to the general good.

As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy of his preceptor, it is rather to be rejoiced in, than lamented, that various reading should lead him into new trains of thinking.

Government can have no more than two legitimate purposes - the suppression of injustice against individuals within the community, and the common defense against external invasion.