There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast. Some men, like bats or owls, have better eyes for the darkness than for the light. We, who have no such optical powers, are better pleased to take our last parting look at the visionary companions of many solitary hours, when the brief sunshine of the world is blazing full upon them.

if the world go wrong, it was, in some off-hand manner, never meant to go right.

No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself.

One should never be ashamed to cry. Tears are rain on the dust of earth.

And O there are days in this life, worth life and worth death.

Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.

You know what I am going to say. I love you. What other men may mean when they use that expression, I cannot tell; what I mean is, that I am under the influence of some tremendous attraction which I have resisted in vain, and which overmasters me.