It generally troubles them [the reformers] not a whit that their remedy implies a complete reconstruction of society, or even a reconstitution of human nature.

History is only a tiresome repetition of one story.

It would be hard to find a single instance of a direct assault by positive effort upon poverty, vice, and misery which has not either failed or, if it has not failed directly and entirely, has not entailed other evils greater than the one which it removed.

The taxing power is especially something after which the reformer's finger always itches.

One thing must be granted to the rich: they are goodnatured.

If you allow a political catchword to go on and grow, you will awaken some day to find it standing over you, arbiter of your destiny, against which you are powerless.

There is no device whatever to be invented for securing happiness without industry, economy, and virtue.