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.

The same refinement which brings us new pleasures exposes us to new pains.

In these days half our diseases come from neglect of the body in overwork of the brain.

Anger ventilated often hurries towards forgiveness; anger concealed often hardens into revenge.

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

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.

Science is an ocean. It is as open to the cockboat as the frigate. One man carries across it a freightage of ingots, another may fish there for herrings.