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HERSCHEL, Sir John Quotes
(1792-1871), English astronomer
All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truths that come from on high and are contained in the sacred writings.
Of all the amusements that can possibly be imagined for a hard-working man, after a day's toil, or in its intervals, there is nothing like reading an entertaining newspaper. It relieves his home of its dullness or sameness, and transports him to a gayer and livelier and more diversified and interesting scene.—It accompanies him in his next day's work, and if the paper be anything above the very idlest and lightest, it gives him something to think of besides the mechanical drudgery of his everyday occupation—something he can enjoy while absent, and look forward with pleasure to return to.
The novel, in its best form, I regard as one of the most powerful engines of civilization ever invented.
There is a gentle, but perfectly irresistible coercion in a habit of reading well directed, over the whole tenor of a man's character and conduct, which is not the least effectual because it works insensibly and because it is really the last thing he dreams of.
If I were to pray for a taste which should stand me under every variety of circumstances, and be a source of happiness and cheerfulness to me through life, and a shield against its ills, however things might go amiss and the world frown upon me, it would be a taste for reading. Give a man this taste, and the means of gratifying it and you can hardly fail of making him happy. You make him a denizen of all nations, a contemporary of all ages.
Self-respect,—that cornerstone of all virtue.
Many brilliant speculations are but shining soap bubbles, which turn to nothing as you gaze at them.
The besetting evil of our age is the temptation to squander and dilute thought on a thousand different lines of inquiry.
The grand character of truth is its capability of enduring the test of universal experience, and coming unchanged out of every possible form of fair discussion.
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