Man must be disappointed with the lesser things of life before he can comprehend the full value of the greater.

The desire of excellence is the necessary attribute of those who excel. We work little for a thing unless we wish for it. But we cannot of ourselves estimate the degree of our success in what we strive for; that task is left to others. With the desire for excellence comes, therefore, the desire for approbation. And this distinguishes intellectual excellence from moral excellence; for the latter has no necessity of human tribunal; it is more inclined to shrink from the public than to invite the public to be its judge.

It may, indeed, be said that sympathy exists in all minds, as Faraday has discovered that magnetism exists in all metals; but a certain temperature is required to develop the hidden property, whether in the metal or the mind.

The brave man wants no charms to encourage him to his duty, and the good man scorns all warnings that would deter him from fulfilling it.

What men want is not talent, it is purpose; in other words, not the power to achieve, but the will to labor.

There is certainly something of exquisite kindness and thoughtful benevolence in that rarest of gifts,--fine breeding.

A life of pleasure makes even the strongest mind frivolous at last.