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.

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

Ancient custom has the force of law.

Ancient custom has the force of law.

The custom and fashion of today will be the awkwardness and outrage of tomorrow--so arbitrary are these transient laws.

The custom and fashion of today will be the awkwardness and outrage of tomorrow--so arbitrary are these transient laws.

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

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

You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let read more

You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.

Custom governs the world; it is the tyrant of our feeling and our manners, and rules us with the imperious read more

Custom governs the world; it is the tyrant of our feeling and our manners, and rules us with the imperious hand of a despot

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.