“In all intellectual debates, both sides tend to be correct in what they affirm, and wrong in what they deny.”

A profound conviction raises a man above the feeling of ridicule.

The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind.

Over one’s mind and over one’s body the individual is sovereign.

To refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.

Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing.

As often as a study is cultivated by narrow minds, they will draw from it narrow conclusions.

In the long-run, the best proof of a good character is good actions.

With equality of experience and of general faculties, a woman usually sees much more than a man of what is immediately before her.

The fatal tendency of mankind to leave off thinking about a thing when it is no longer doubtful is the cause of half their errors.

The moral influence of woman over man is almost always salutary.

To understand one woman is not necessarily to understand any other woman.

Liberty consists in doing what one desires.

To bring a child into existence without a fair prospect of being able, not only to provide food for its body, but instruction and training for its mind is a moral crime, both against the unfortunate offspring and against society.

Genius can only breathe freely in an atmosphere of freedom.

Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain.

Whatever crushes individuality is despotism.

Love is affirmation; it motivates the yes responses and the sense of wider communication. Love casts out fear, and in the security of this togetherness we find contentment, courage.

Most higher education is devoted to affirming the traditions and origins of an existing elite and transmitting them to new members.

I know what it’s like to feel that fear and the need of affirmation and appreciation. To build confidence in yourself is the toughest thing.

The most incredible beauty and the most satisfying way of life come from affirming your own uniqueness.

The earth we inhabit is an error, an incompetent parody. Mirrors and paternity are abominable because they multiply and affirm it.

With each passing moment of life, we learn lesson, but it is upto us to affirm and grow from that.

Beauty is not skin-deep; it can be a means of self-affirmation, a true indicator of personality and confidence.

Poetry has always mattered, through human history, through all kinds of cultures, all kinds of violence and human desolation, as well as periods of great human affirmation.