Through every rift of discovery some seeming anomaly drops out of the darkness, and falls, as a golden link into the great chain of order.

Events are only the shells of ideas; and often it is the fluent thought of ages that is crystallized in a moment by the stroke of a pen or the point of a bayonet.

Swift calls discretion low prudence; it is high prudence, and one of the most important elements entering into either social or political life.

We have not the innocence of Eden; but by God's help and Christ's example we may have the victory of Gethsemane.

A patient, humble temper gathers blessings that are marred by the peevish and overlooked by the aspiring.

The weak sinews become strong by their conflict with difficulties.

Books! The chosen depositories of the thoughts, the opinions, and the aspirations of mighty intellects; like wondrous mirrors that have caught and fixed bright images of souls that have passed away; like magic lyres, whose masters have bequeathed them to the world, and which yet, of themselves, ring with unforgotten music, while the hands that touched their chords have crumbled into dust. Books! they are the embodiments and manifestations of departed minds--the living organs through which those who are dead yet speak to us.