Virtues are often conquered by vices, but their rout is most complete when it is inflicted by other virtues… — R. H. Tawney

A society which reverences the attainment of riches as the supreme felicity will naturally be disposed to regard the poor as damned in the next world, if only to justify itself for making their life a hell in this.

Mankind may wring her secrets from nature, and use their knowledge to destroy themselves.

Too often, contemning the external order as unspiritual, [the Puritan] has made it, and ultimately himself, less spiritual by reason of his contempt.