Credit is a matter so subtle in its essence, that, as it may be obtained almost without reason, so, without reason, may it be made to melt away.

There are some achievements which are never done in the presence of those who hear of them. Catching salmon is one, and working all night is another.

It is a comfortable feeling to know that you stand on your own ground. Land is about the only thing that can't fly away.

Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.

But then the pastors and men of God can only be human,--cannot altogether be men of God; and so they have oppressed us, and burned us, and tortured us, and hence come to love palaces, and fine linen, and purple, and, alas, sometimes, mere luxury and idleness.

He must have known me if he had seen me as he was wont to see me, for he was in the habit of flogging me constantly. Perhaps he did not recognize me by my face.

A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.