If a test of civilization be sought, none can be so sure as the condition of that half of society over which the other half has power.

Laws and customs may be creative of vice; and should be therefore perpetually under process of observation and correction: but laws and customs cannot be creative of virtue: they may encourage and help to preserve it; but they cannot originate it.

There have been few things in my life which have had a more genial effect on my mind than the possession of a piece of land.

What office is there which involves more responsibility, which requires more qualifications, and which ought, therefore, to be more honorable, than that of teaching?

Readers are plentiful; thinkers are rare.

Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered.