The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it

Why then seek to complete in a few decades what took the other nations of the world thousands of years? Why, in your hurry to subdue and utilize nature, squander her splendid gifts? You have opportunities such as mankind has never had before, and may never have again.

An eminent American is reported to have said to friends who wished to put him forward 'Gentlemen let there be no mistake. I should make a good president but a very bad candidate.'