It has always appeared to me, that there is so much to be done in this world, that all self-inflicted suffering which cannot be turned to good account for others, is a loss - a loss, if you may so express it, to the spiritual world.

Selfishness, when it is punished by the world, is mostly punished because it is connected with egotism.

The worst use that can be made of success is to boast of it.

Infinite toil would not enable you to sweep away a mist; but by ascending a little you may often look over it altogether.

It takes a great man to make a great listener

Every happiness is a hostage to fortune.

No doubt hard work is a great police agent. If everybody were worked from morning till night, and then carefully locked up, the register of crime might be greatly diminished. But what would become of human nature? Where would be the room for growth in such a system of things? It is through sorrow and mirth, plenty and need, a variety of passions, circumstances, and temptations, even through sin and misery, that men's natures are developed.