"Civilization depends on morality...." - Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Without looking, then, to those extraordinary social influences which are now acting in precisely this direction, but only at whatis inevitably doing around us, I think we must regard the land as a commanding and increasing power on the citizen, the sanative and Americanizing influence, which promises to disclose new virtues for ages to come.”

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions.”

“The reason of idleness and of crime is the deferring of our hopes. Whilst we are waiting, we beguile the time with jokes, with sleep, with eating, and with crimes.”

“From its first faint glimmerings, History shews Man's constant progress as a beast of prey. As such he conquers every land, subdues the fruit-fed races, founds mighty realms by subjugating other subjugators, forms states and sets up civilisations, to enjoy his prey at rest.”

“If, to expose the fraud and imposition of monarchy . . . to promote universal peace, civilization, and commerce, and to break the chains of political superstition, and raise degraded man to his proper rank; if these things be libellous . . . let the name of libeller be engraved on my tomb”

“I have thought a sufficient measure of civilization is the influence of good women.”

“The content of scientific theory itself offers no moral foundation for the personal conduct of life.”

“It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.”

“Questions of natural right are triable by their conformity with the moral sense and reason of man.”