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.

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.

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

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

Custom adapts itself to expediency

Custom adapts itself to expediency

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

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

Ancient custom has the force of law.

Ancient custom has the force of law.

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.

No man ever looks at the world with pristine eyes. He sees it edited by a definite set of customs read more

No man ever looks at the world with pristine eyes. He sees it edited by a definite set of customs and institutions and ways of thinking.

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