I would have every minister of the gospel address his audience with the zeal of a friend, with the generous energy of a father, and with the exuberant affection of a mother.

How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak.

The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt.

Real friends are our greatest joy and our greatest sorrow. It were almost to be wished that all true and faithful friends should expire on the same day.

Most people I ask little from. I try to give them much, and expect nothing in return and I do very well in the bargain.

True prayer is only another name for the love of God. Its excellence does not consist in the multitude of our words; for our Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him. The true prayer is that of the heart, and the heart prays only for what it desires. To pray, then is to desire -- but to desire what God would have us desire. He who asks what he does not from the bottom of his heart desire, is mistaken in thinking that he prays.

The greater our dread of crosses, the more necessary they are for us.