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.

The old ways are the safest and surest ways.

The old ways are the safest and surest ways.

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.

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

The customs and fashions of men change like leaves on the bough, some of which go and others come.

The customs and fashions of men change like leaves on the bough, some of which go and others come.

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 meets us at the cradle and leaves us only at the tomb.

Custom meets us at the cradle and leaves us only at the tomb.

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.