Silent Influence. June 20
Violence is not strength, noisiness is not earnestness. Noise is a sign of want of faith, and violence is a sign of weakness.
By quiet, modest, silent, private influence we shall win. “Neither strive nor cry nor let your voice be heard in the streets,” was good advice of old, and is still. I have seen many a movement succeed by it. I have seen many a movement tried by the other method of striving and crying and making a noise in the streets, but I have never seen one succeed thereby, and never shall.
Letters and Memories. 1870.