Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility. Nothing adds such dignity to characte...r as the recognition of one's self-sovereignty; the right to an equal place, everywhere conceded--a place earned by personal merit, not an artificial attainment by inheritance, wealth, family and position.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
New England likes to think it has a civilization based on character. The South likes to think it has a character based on civiliza...tion. A big difference.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
For, when men shall meet as they ought, each a benefactor, a shower of stars, clothed with thoughts, with deeds, with accomplishme...nts, it should be the festival of nature which all things announce. Of such friendship, love in the sexes is the first symbol, as all other things are symbols of love. Those relations to the best men, which, at one time, we reckoned the romances of youth, become, in the progress of character, the most solid enjoyment.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Character wants room; must not be crowded on by persons, nor be judged from glimpses got in the press of affairs, or on few occasi...ons. It needs perspective, as a great building.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Character repudiates intellect, yet excites it; and character passes into thought, is published so, and then is ashamed before new... flashes of moral worth.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Nature never rhymes her children, nor makes two men alike. When we see a great man, we fancy a resemblance to some historical pers...on, and predict the sequel of his character and fortune, a result which he is sure to disappoint. None will ever solve the problem of his character according to our prejudice, but only in his high unprecedented way.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I waited and worked, and watched the inferior exalted for nearly thirty years; and when recognition came at last, it was too late ...to alter events, or to make a difference in living.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »