… the thought that our dead parents or friends would have approved our conduct is scarcely less powerful motive than the knowledge that our living ones do approve it; and the idea that Socrates, or Howard, or Washington, or Antonius or Christ would have sympathized with us, or that we are attempting to do our part in the spirit in which they did theirs, has operated on the very best minds as strong incentive to act up to their highest feelings and convictions.

The food of feeling is action… Let a person have nothing to do for his country, and he will not care for it.

The essence of religion is the strong and earnest direction of the emotions and desires toward the ideal object, recognized as of highest excellence, and as rightfully paramount over all selfish objects of desire.