Laws and institutions are constantly tending to gravitate. Like
clocks, they must be occasionally cleansed, and wound up, and read more

Laws and institutions are constantly tending to gravitate. Like
clocks, they must be occasionally cleansed, and wound up, and set
to true time.

From lower to the higher next,
Not to the top, is Nature's text;
And embryo good, to read more

From lower to the higher next,
Not to the top, is Nature's text;
And embryo good, to reach full stature,
Absorbs the evil in its nature.

All rising to great place is by a winding stair.

All rising to great place is by a winding stair.

And striving to be Man, the worm
Mounts through all the spires of form.

And striving to be Man, the worm
Mounts through all the spires of form.

Finds progress, man's distinctive mark alone,
Not God's, and not the beast's;
God is, they are,
read more

Finds progress, man's distinctive mark alone,
Not God's, and not the beast's;
God is, they are,
Man partly is, and wholly hopes to be.

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.

Progress might have been alright once, but it has gone on too long.

Progress might have been alright once, but it has gone on too long.

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.

What we call "progress " is the exchange of one nuisance for
another nuisance.

What we call "progress " is the exchange of one nuisance for
another nuisance.