The greatest defect of common education is, that we are in the habit of putting pleasure all on one side, and weariness on the other; all weariness in study, all pleasure in idleness.

When kings interfere in matters of religion, they enslave instead of protecting it.

Temptations are a file which rub off much of the rust of our self-confidence.

I believe that we are conforming to the divine order and the will of Providence when we are doing even indifferent things that belong to our condition.

It is only by fidelity in little things that the grace of true love to God can be sustained, and distinguished from a passing fervor of spirit. . . . No one can well believe that our piety is sincere, when our behavior is lax and irregular in its little details. What probability is there that we should not hesitate to make the greatest sacrifices, when we shrink from the smallest?

All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.

We are not to choose the manner in which our blessings shall be bestowed.