* * * * * 'The best criticism on those sermons which proclaim so loudly the dignity of human nature was from our friend E.S. She said, coming out from Dr. Channing's church, that she felt fatigued by the demands the sermon made on her, and would go home and read what Jesus said,—"Ye are of more value than many sparrows." That she could bear; it did not seem exaggerated praise.'
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'The Swedenborgians say, "that is Correspondence," and the phrenologists, "that it is Approbativeness," and so think they know all about it. It would not be so, if we could be like the birds,—make one method, and then desert it, and make a new one,—as they build their nests.'
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'As regards crime, we cannot understand what we have not already felt;—thus, all crimes have formed part of our minds. We do but recognize one part of ourselves in the worst actions of others. When you take the subject in this light, do you not incline to consider the capacity for action as something widely differing from the experience of a feeling?'
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'How beautiful the life of Benvenuto Cellini! How his occupations perpetually impelled to thought,—to gushings of thought naturally excited!'
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'Father lectured me for looking satirical when the man of Words spake, and so attentive to the man of Truth,—that is, of God.'
Margaret used often to talk about the books which she and I were reading.