A man can no more be a Christian without facing evil and conquering it than he can be a soldier without going to battle, facing the cannon's mouth, and encountering the enemy in the field.

The universe is a vast system of exchange. Every artery of it is in motion, throbbing with reciprocity, from the planet to the rotting leaf. The vapor climbs the sunbeam, and comes back in blessings upon the exhausted herb. The exhalation of the plant is wafted to the ocean. And so goes on the beautiful commerce of nature. And all because of dissimilarity--because no one thing is sufficient in itself, but calls for the assistance of something else, and repays by a contribution in turn.

The highest genius never flowers in satire, but culminates in sympathy with that which is best in human nature, and appeals to it.

Morality is but the vestibule of religion.

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

No more duty can be urged upon those who are entering the great theater of life than simple loyalty to their best convictions.

There is less misery in being cheated than in that kind of wisdom which perceives, or thinks it perceives, that all mankind are cheats.