... learning to love any one is like an increase of property, -- it increases care, and brings many new fears lest precious things should come to harm.

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.

What destroys us most effectively is not a malign fate but our own capacity for self-deception and for degrading our own best self.

He was at a starting point which makes many a man's career a fine subject for betting, if there were any gentlemen given to that amusement who could appreciate the complicated probabilities of an arduous purpose. . . .

I've been turning it over in after-dinner speeches, but it looks awkward-it's not what people are used to-it wants a good deal of Latin to make it go down.

I have a knack of hoping, which is as good as an estate.

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