The prevalent fear of poverty among the educated classes is the worst moral disease from which our civilization suffers. – William James
The first thing to learn in intercourse with others is noninterference with their own peculiar ways of being happy, provided those ways do not assume to interfere by violence with ours. – William James
Language is the most imperfect and expensive means yet discovered for communicating thought. – William James
We have grown literally afraid to be poor. We despise anyone who elects to be poor in order to simplify and save his inner life. If he does not join the general scramble and pant with the money-making street, we deem him spiritless and lacking in ambition. – William James