Man is naturally more disposed to beneficent than selfish actions. This we learn even from the history of savages. The domestic virtues have somethin… - Wilhelm von Humboldt

Owing to the vigorous and elastic strength of man’s original power, necessity does not often require anything save the removal of oppressive bonds. From all these reasons (to which a more detailed analysis of the subject might add many more) it will be seen, that there is no other principle than this so perfectly accordant with the reverence we owe to the individuality of spontaneous beings, and with the solicitude for freedom which that reverence inspires. Finally, the only infallible means of securing power and authority to laws, is to see that they originate in this principle alone.

Gelehrte dirigieren ist nicht viel besser als eine Komödiantengruppe unter sich zu haben.

In order to bring about the transition from the condition of the present to another newly resolved on, every reform should be allowed to proceed as much as possible from men’s minds and thoughts.