The best reformers the world has ever seen are those who commence on themselves

The best reformers the world has ever seen are those who commence on themselves

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.

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.

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.

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.

He who reforms himself has done more toward reforming the public than a crowd of noisy, impotent patriots

He who reforms himself has done more toward reforming the public than a crowd of noisy, impotent patriots

The church is always trying to get other people to reform; it might not be a bad idea to reform read more

The church is always trying to get other people to reform; it might not be a bad idea to reform itself.

What is a man born for but to be a reformer, a remaker of what has been made, a denouncer read more

What is a man born for but to be a reformer, a remaker of what has been made, a denouncer of lies, a restorer of truth and good?

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.