The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men the opportunity to work out happiness for themselves.

Quote by William Ellery Channing

Topics: Government Quotes

Every human being is intended to have a character of his own; to be what...

Every human being is intended to have a character of his own; to be what...

Nothing which has entered into our experience is ever lost.

Nothing which has entered into our experience is ever lost.

True love is the parent of humility.

True love is the parent of humility.

Fix your eyes on perfection and you make almost everything speed towards it.

Fix your eyes on perfection and you make almost everything speed towards it.

No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down,...

No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down,...

Grandeur of character lies wholly in force of soul, that is, in the force of...

Grandeur of character lies wholly in force of soul, that is, in the force of...

Ideas are the mightiest influence on earth. One great thought breathed into a man may...

Ideas are the mightiest influence on earth. One great thought breathed into a man may...

The mind, in proportion as it is cut off from free communication with nature, with...

The mind, in proportion as it is cut off from free communication with nature, with...

God be thanked for books; they are the voices of the distant and the dead,...

God be thanked for books; they are the voices of the distant and the dead,...

We smile at the ignorance of the savage who cuts down the tree in order...

We smile at the ignorance of the savage who cuts down the tree in order...

The best books for a man are not always those which the wise recommend, but...

The best books for a man are not always those which the wise recommend, but...

The reveries of youth, in which so much energy is wasted, are the yearnings of...

The reveries of youth, in which so much energy is wasted, are the yearnings of...

Every human being has a work to carry on within, duties to perform abroad, influence...

Every human being has a work to carry on within, duties to perform abroad, influence...

He who is false to the present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and...

He who is false to the present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and...

Undoubtedly a man is to labor to better his condition, but first to better himself.

Undoubtedly a man is to labor to better his condition, but first to better himself.

Faith is love taking the form of aspiration.

Faith is love taking the form of aspiration.

It is not the quantity but the quality of knowledge which determines the mind's dignity.

It is not the quantity but the quality of knowledge which determines the mind's dignity.

It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best...

It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best...

Every man is a volume if you know how to read him.

Every man is a volume if you know how to read him.

No one should part with their individuality and become that of another.

No one should part with their individuality and become that of another.