Nothing can shock a brave man but dullness.
There are more consequences to a shipwreck than the underwriters notice.
One generation abandons the enterprises of another like stranded vessels.
Can there be any greater reproach than an idle learning? Learn to split wood, at least.
I had a classmate who fitted for college by the lamps of a lighthouse, which was more light, we think, than the University afforded.
The schools begin with what they call the elements, and where do they end?
When the State wishes to endow an academy or university, it grants it a tract of forest land: one saw represents an academy, a gang, a university.
Reform keeps many scores of newspapers in its service, but not one man.
Do not suffer your life to be taken by newspapers.
The news we hear, for the most part, is not news to our genius. It is the stalest repetition.
The newspapers are the ruling power. Any other government is reduced to a few marines at Fort Independence. If a man neglects to read the Daily Times, government will go down on its knees to him, for this is the only treason these days.
Could slavery suggest a more complete servility than some of these journals exhibit? Is there any dust which their conduct does not lick, and make fouler still with its slime?
The press is, almost without exception, corrupt.
I am sure that I never read any memorable news in a newspaper.
I hear many condemn these men because they were so few. When were the good and the brave ever in a majority? Would you have had him wait till that time came? – till you and I came over to him?
It is not worth the while to let our imperfections disturb us always. The conscience really does not, and ought not to monopolizethe whole of our lives, any more than the heart or the head. It is as liable to disease as any other part.
To the virtuous man, the universe is the only sanctum sanctorum, and the penetralia of the temple are the broad noon of his existence.
He who eats the fruit should at least plant the seed; ay, if possible, a better seed than that whose fruit he has enjoyed.
Men have a singular desire to be good without being good for anything, because, perchance, they think vaguely that so it will be good for them in the end.
It is not so important that many should be good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump.