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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
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.
 My desolation does begin to make
 A better life.  
 My desolation does begin to make
 A better life. 
The hole and the patch should be commensurate.
The hole and the patch should be commensurate.
 All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
 To peace and charity, is mere pretence.  
 All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
 To peace and charity, is mere pretence. 
 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. 
At twenty a man is full of fight and hope. He wants to reform the world. When he is seventy read more
At twenty a man is full of fight and hope. He wants to reform the world. When he is seventy he still wants to reform the world, but he knows he can't.
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits.
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits.
Every reform needs examples more than advocates
Every reform needs examples more than advocates