Henry Ward Beecher

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.

Good nature is worth more than knowledge, more than money, more than honor, to the persons who possess it.

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy.

To have dominion by religion, is to have dominion over men's souls, thus over their very spiritual life, and to use the Divine things, which are in their religion, as the means.

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.

I just had an idea that went right over my head.