Friendship closes its eye rather than see the moon eclipsed; while malice denies that it is ever at the full.

The question is not whether a doctrine is beautiful but whether it is true. When we wish to go to a place, we do not ask whether the road leads through a pretty country, but whether it is the right road.

Better far off to leave half the ruins and nine-tenths of the churches unseen and to see well the rest; to see them not once, but again and often again; to watch them, to learn them, to live with them, to love them, till they have become a part of life and life's recollections.

The virtue of Paganism was strength: the virtue of Christianity is obedience.

Man without religion is the creature of circumstances: Religion is above all circumstances, and will lift him up above them.

The power of faith will often shine forth the most when the character is naturally weak.

Examples would indeed be excellent things were not people so modest that none will set, and so vain that none will follow them.