He must be a man of little faith, who would fear to subject his own religion to the same critical tests to which the historian subjects all other religions. We need not surely crave a tender or merciful treatment for that faith which we hold to be the only true one. We should rather challenge it for the severest tests and trials, as the sailor would for the good ship to which he trusts his own life, and the lives of those who are dear to him. In the Science of Religion, we can decline no comparisons, nor claim any immunities for Christianity, as little as the missionary can, when wrestling with the subtle Brahmin, or the fanatical Mussulman, or the plain speaking Zulu.

As a man journeying to another village may enjoy a night's rest in the open air, but, after leaving his resting-place, proceeds again on his journey the next day, thus father, mother, wife, and wealth are all but like a night's rest to us — wise people do not cling to them forever.

बुद्ध के पहले प्रवचन के समय असंख्य श्रोताओं में से हरेक समझता था कि बुद्ध उसी की ओर देख रहे हैं और उससे उसकी ही बोली में बात कर रहे हैं, हालाँकि वे मागधी में बोल रहे थे।