The man who is forever disturbed about the condition of humanity either has no problems of his own or has refused to face them.

It is a folly second to none, To try to improve the world.

All reformers are bachelors.

The men who have changed the universe have never accomplished it by changing officials but always by inspiring the people.

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom.

To give up the task of reforming society is to give up one's responsibility as a free man.

The reformer is careless of numbers, disregards popularity, and deals only with ideas, conscience, and common sense. He feels, with Copernicus, that as God waited long for an interpreter, so he can wait for his followers.

The superannuated bawd feels no hesitation in forswearing fornication, nor the displaced police magistrate in foregoing oppression.

It is one of the consolations of middle-aged reformers that the good they inculcate must live after them if it is to live at all.