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Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one.
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Metaphysics is the attempt of the mind to rise above the mind.
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In books lies the soul fo the whole past time.
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Without oblivion, there is no remembrance possible. When both oblivion and memory are wise, when the general soul of man is clear, melodious, true, there may come a modern Iliad as memorial of the Past.
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What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is a collection of books.
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A word spoken in season, at the right moment; is the mother of ages.
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The stifled hum of midnight, when traffic has lain down to rest, and the chariot wheels of Vanity, still rolling here and there through distant streets, are bearing her to halls roofed in and lighted to the due pitch for her; and only vice and misery, to prowl or to moan like night birds, are abroad.
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After all manner of professors have done their best for us, the place we are to get knowledge is in books.
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O thou who art able to write a Book, which once in the two centuries or oftener there is a man gifted to do, envy not him whom they name City-builder, and inexpressibly pity him whom they name Conqueror or City-burner! Thou too art a Conqueror and Victor; but of the true sort, namely over the Devil: thou too hast built what will outlast all marble and metal, and be a wonder-bringing City of the Mind, a Temple and Seminary and Prophetic Mount, whereto all kindreds of the Earth will pilgrim.
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Experience of actual fact either teaches fools or abolishes them.
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Wonder is the basis of worship.
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If a book comes from the heart, it will contrive to reach other hearts; all art and author-craft are of small amount to that.
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Popular opinion is the greatest lie in the world.
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Thought, true labor of any kind, highest virtue itself, is it not the daughter of Pain?
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Reform is not pleasant, but grievous; no person can reform themselves without suffering and hard work, how much less a nation.
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In the long-run every Government is the exact symbol of its People, with their wisdom and unwisdom; we have to say, Like People like Government.