If a man goes a little too far along a new road, it is usually himself that he harms more than any one else.

It is better sometimes not to follow great reformers of abuses beyond the threshold of their homes.

We have all got to exert ourselves a little to keep sane, and call things by the same names as other people call them by.

But indefinite visions of ambition are weak against the ease of doing what is habitual or beguilingly agreeable; and we all know the difficulty of carrying out a resolve when we secretly long that it may turn out to be unnecessary. In such states of mind the most incredulous person has a private leaning towards miracle: impossible to conceive how our wish could be fulfilled, still - very wonderful things have happened!

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.

Will not a tiny speck very close to our vision blot out the glory of the world, and leave only a margin by which we see the blot? I know no speck so troublesome as self.

I would not creep along the coast but steer Out in mid-sea, by guidance of the stars.