There is no tyrant like custom, and no freedom where its edicts are not resisted.

There is no tyrant like custom, and no freedom where its edicts are not resisted.

Custom is the plague of wise men and the idol of fools.

Custom is the plague of wise men and the idol of fools.

Men commonly think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and imbibed opinions, but generally act according to read more

Men commonly think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and imbibed opinions, but generally act according to custom.

Custom is the great guide to human life

Custom is the great guide to human life

Custom has furnished the only basis which ethics have ever had.

Custom has furnished the only basis which ethics have ever had.

We do everything by custom, even believe by it; our very axioms, let us boast of free-thinking as we may, read more

We do everything by custom, even believe by it; our very axioms, let us boast of free-thinking as we may, are oftenest simply such beliefs as we have never heard questioned.

Every age, every culture, every custom and tradition has its own character, its own weakness and its own strength, its read more

Every age, every culture, every custom and tradition has its own character, its own weakness and its own strength, its beauties and cruelties; it accepts certain sufferings as matters of course, puts up patiently with certain evils. Human life is reduced to real suffering, to hell, only when two ages, two cultures and religions overlap.

Custom adapts itself to expediency

Custom adapts itself to expediency

There is nothing that strengthens a nation like reading of a nation's own history, whether that history is recorded in read more

There is nothing that strengthens a nation like reading of a nation's own history, whether that history is recorded in books or embodied in customs, institutions and monuments.