At twenty a man is full of fight and hope. He wants to reform the world. When he is seventy read more

At twenty a man is full of fight and hope. He wants to reform the world. When he is seventy he still wants to reform the world, but he knows he can't.

All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
To peace and charity, is mere pretence.

All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
To peace and charity, is mere pretence.

Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess which will itself need reforming.

Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess which will itself need reforming.

Every reformation must have its victims. You can't expect the fatted calf to share the enthusiasm of the angels over read more

Every reformation must have its victims. You can't expect the fatted calf to share the enthusiasm of the angels over the prodigal's return.

The church is always trying to get other people to reform; it might not be a bad idea to reform read more

The church is always trying to get other people to reform; it might not be a bad idea to reform itself.

To reform a man, you must begin with his grandmother.

To reform a man, you must begin with his grandmother.

Reform is born of need, not pity. No vital movement of the people has worked down, for good or evil; read more

Reform is born of need, not pity. No vital movement of the people has worked down, for good or evil; fermented, instead, carried up the heaving, cloggy mass.

Every abuse ought to be reformed, unless the reform is more dangerous than the abuse itself.

Every abuse ought to be reformed, unless the reform is more dangerous than the abuse itself.

Grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that
the new man may be raised read more

Grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that
the new man may be raised up in them.