There is no short-cut no patent tram-road, to wisdom. After all the centuries of invention, the soul's path lies through the thorny wilderness which must still be trodden in solitude, with bleeding feet, with sobs for help, as it was trodden by them of old time.

Mighty is the force of motherhood! It transforms all things by its vital heat.

Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity.

It’s rather a strong check to one’s self-complacency to find how much of one’s right doing depends on not being in want of money.

What business has an old bachelor like that to marry?' said Sir James. 'He has one foot in the grave.' 'He means to draw it out again, I suppose.

It always remains true that if we had been greater, circumstance would have been less strong against us.

Nothing at times is more expressive than silence.