583 quotes
An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.
Misattributed
One man's justice is another's injustice; One man's beauty another's ugliness; One man's wisdom another's folly.
Attributed
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.
Misattributed
No member of a crew is praised for the rugged individuality of his rowing.
Misattributed
Natural religion supplies still all the facts which are disguised under the dogma of popular creeds. The progress of religion is steadily to its identity with morals.
Attributed Pearls of Thought (1881)
The virtues of society are the vices of the saints.
Attributed Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed (1919)
The faith that stands on authority is not faith.
Attributed Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed (1919)
The value of a principle is the number of things it will explain; and there is no good theory of disease which does not at once suggest a cure.
Attributed Pearls of Thought (1881)
Sunshine cannot bleach the snow,
Nor time unmake what poets know.
Attributed
What is there in 'Paradise Lost' to elevate and astonish like Herschel or Somerville?
Attributed
In skating over thin ice our safety is our speed.
Attributed Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed (1919)
No congress, nor mob, nor guillotine, nor fire, nor all together, can avail, to cut out, burn, or destroy the offense of superiority in persons. The superiority in him is inferiority in me.
Attributed Pearls of Thought (1881)
Nature is the best posture-master.
Attributed Pearls of Thought (1881)
When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
Misattributed
What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Misattributed
You must read Plato. But you must hold him at arm's length and say, 'Plato, you have delighted and edified mankind for two thousand years. What have you to say to me?'
Attributed
I read your piece on Plato. Holmes, when you strike at a king, you must kill him.
Attributed
I hung my verse in the wind
Time and tide their faults will find.
Attributed
Self-command is the main elegance.
Attributed Pearls of Thought (1881)
If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.
Attributed