Elihu Burritt

It is an old saying, and one of fearful and fathomless import, that we are forming characters for eternity. Form- ing characters? Whose? Our own or others? Both-and in that momentous act lies the peril and responsibility of our existence.

Knowledge cannot be stolen from us. It cannot be bought or sold. We may be poor, and the sheriff may come and sell our furniture, or drive away our cow, or take our pet lamb, and leave us homeless and penniless; but he cannot lay the law's hand upon the jewelry of our minds.