“A Man may dwell so long upon a Thought, that it may take him Prisoner.”

Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Reflections (1750), Miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections

Quoted in "Johannes Tauler: Sermons" translated by Maria May God help us to prepare a dwelling place for this noble birth, so that we may all attain spiritual motherhood Shardy

Heath's book of Beauty, 1833 (1832)

Source: "Investment in human capital," 1961, p. 2; As cited in: David L. Levinson (2005) Community Colleges: A Reference Handbook, p. 156
Context: The mere thought of investment in human beings is offensive to some among us. Our values and beliefs inhibit us from looking upon human beings as capital goods, except in slavery, and this we abhor... To treat human beings as wealth that can be augmented by investment runs counter to deeply held values. It seems to reduce man once again to a mere material component, something akin to property. And for man to look upon himself as a capital good, even if it did not impair his freedom, may seem to debase him... (But) by investing in themselves, people can enlarge the range of choice available to them. It is one way free men can enhance their welfare.

Riyadh-as-Saliheen by Imam Al-Nawawi, volume 3, hadith number 470
Sunni Hadith

Gaveston, Act I, scene i, lines 204–205
Edward II (c. 1592)

Autobiography (1936; 1949; 1958)
Context: Organised religion allying itself to theology and often more concerned with its vested interests than with the things of the spirit encourages a temper which is the very opposite of science. It produces narrowness and intolerance, credulity and superstition, emotionalism and irrationalism. It tends to close and limit the mind of man and to produce a temper of a dependent, unfree person.
Even if God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him, so Voltaire, said … perhaps that is true, and indeed the mind of man has always been trying to fashion some such mental image or conception which grew with the mind's growth. But there is something also in the reverse proposition: even if God exist, it may be desirable not to look up to Him or to rely upon Him. Too much dependence on supernatural forces may lead, and has often led, to loss of self-reliance in man, and to a blunting of his capacity and creative ability. And yet some faith seems necessary in things of the spirit which are beyond the scope of our physical world, some reliance on moral, spiritual, and idealistic conceptions, or else we have no anchorage, no objectives or purpose in life. Whether we believe in God or not, it is impossible not to believe in something, whether we call it a creative life-giving force, or vital energy inherent in matter which gives it its capacity for self-movement and change and growth, or by some other name, something that is as real, though elusive, as life is real when contrasted with death. <!-- p. 524 (1946)