The first duty of a university is to teach wisdom, not trade; character, not technicalities.

Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die: but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome.

One may imagine that a man who blew the trumpet for his living would be glad to play the violin for his amusement.

We must learn from misfortune the means of future strength.

Don't give your sons money. Give them horses. Many a good son has been ruined through the acquisition of money but no good son has been ruined through the acquisition of horses. Unless they fell and broke their neck, which when taken at the gallop is a very good death to die.

The true guide of life is to do what is right.

I cannot help reflecting that if my father had been American and my mother British instead of the other way around, I might have gotten here on my own.