Reform must come from within, not from without. You cannot legislate for virtue.

Reform must come from within, not from without. You cannot legislate for virtue.

The race could save one-half its wasted labor Would each reform himself and spare his neighbor.

The race could save one-half its wasted labor Would each reform himself and spare his neighbor.

A reformer is a man who rides through a sewer in a glass-bottomed boat.

A reformer is a man who rides through a sewer in a glass-bottomed boat.

Grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that
the new man may be raised read more

Grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that
the new man may be raised up in them.

Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess which will itself need reforming.

Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess which will itself need reforming.

Every abuse ought to be reformed, unless the reform is more dangerous than the abuse itself.

Every abuse ought to be reformed, unless the reform is more dangerous than the abuse itself.

All reformers are bachelors.

All reformers are bachelors.

I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords
to stop the progress of reform, read more

I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords
to stop the progress of reform, reminds me very forcibly of the
great storm of Sidmouth, and of the conduct of the excellent Mrs.
Partington on that occasion. In the winter of 1824, there set in
a great flood upon that town--the tide rose to an incredible
height: the waves rushed in upon the houses, and everything was
threatened with destruction. In the midst of this sublime and
terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was
seen at the door of her house with mop and pattens, trundling her
mop, squeezing out the sea water, and vigorously pushing away the
Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic was roused. Mrs. Partington's
spirit was up; but I need not tell you that the contest was
unequal. The Atlantic Ocean beat Mrs. Partington. She was
excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she should not have meddled
with a tempest.

Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the read more

Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the problem of the age.