A government, for protecting business only, is but a carcass, and soon falls by its own corruption and decay.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Debate is masculine, conversation is feminine.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Observation more than books and experience more than persons, are the prime educators.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
One must be a wise reader to quote wisely and well.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Our dreams drench us in senses, and senses steps us again in dreams.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Our friends interpret the world and ourselves to us, if we take them tenderly and truly.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Our notion of the perfect society embraces the family as its center and ornament, and this paradise is not secure until children appear to animate and complete the picture.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Strengthen me by sympathizing with my strength, not my weakness.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
That is a good book which is opened with expectation, and closed with delight and profit.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
The less routine the more life.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Thought means life, since those who do not think so do not live in any high or real sense. Thinking makes the man.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
We climb to heaven most often on the ruins of our cherished plans, finding our failures were successes.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Where there is a mother in the home, matters go well.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
While one finds company in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Who knows, the mind has the key to all things besides.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Who speaks to the instincts speaks to the deepest in mankind, and finds the readiest response.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Devotees of grammatical studies have not been distinguished for any very remarkable felicities of expression.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
Civilization degrades the many to exalt the few.
– Amos Bronson Alcott
The true teacher defends his pupils against his own personal influence. He inspires self-trust. He guides their eyes from himself to the spirit that quickens him. He will have no disciples.
