Amos Bronson Alcott Mind Quotations

Nor do we accept, as genuine the person not characterized by this blushing bashfulness, this youthfulness of heart, this sensibility to the sentiment of suavity and self-respect. Modesty is bred of self-reverence. Fine manners are the mantle of fair minds. None are truly great without this ornament.

The history of religions, of which Christianity is a transcendent element, awaits the deepest study. It requires Bibles to free from Bibles. Comparative theology is the best of studies for liberating one's mind from geographical and traditional limitations. Like travelling, it shows the globe in its varying climates and zones, its latitude and longitude of intelligence. When the races shall have learned each other's language, the significance of things to thoughts, one faith becomes universal, one brotherhood.

Modesty is bred of self-reverence. Fine manners are the mantle of fair minds.

The richest minds need not large libraries.

Books are the most mannerly of companions, accessible at all times, in all moods, frankly declaring the author's mind, without offense.

The mind is fast emancipating itself from the dominion of man and of matter. It has let loose fearful forces on the world.

The traveled mind is the catholic mind educated from exclusiveness and egotism.

As education becomes inclusive, introspective, cosmic, promoting whole populations to power and privilege, it enthrones a vast, invisible, personal rule over the common mind.