Receptiveness is a rare and massive power, like fortitude.

This is a puzzling world, and Old Harry's got a finger in it.

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.

Best friend, my well-spring in the wilderness!

He had the superficial kindness of a good-humored, self-satisfied nature, that fears no rivalry, and has encountered no contrarieties.

A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

Every year strips us of at least one vain expectation, and teaches us to reckon some solid good in its stead.