It is some fundamental certainty which a noble soul has about itself, something which is not to be sought, is not to be found, and perhaps, also, is not to be lost. The noble soul has reverence for itself.

Man is not equally moral at all hours, this is well known. If his morality is judged to be the capability for great self-sacrificing resolutions and self-denial (which, when continuous and grown habitual, are called holiness)

Enjoying praise is in some people merely a civility of the heart--and just the opposite of a vanity of the spirit.

We must remain as close to the flowers, the grass, and the butterflies as the child is who is not yet so much taller than they are.

The wittiest authors evoke a barely perceptible smile.

On the tree, Future, we build our nest; and in our solitude eagles shall bring us nourishment in their beaks!

So long as the spectator has to figure out the meaning of this or that person, or the presuppositions of this or that conflict of inclinations and purposes, he cannot become completely absorbed in the activities and sufferings of the chief characters or feel breathless pity and fear.