In old days there were angels who came and took men by the hand and led them away from the city of destruction. We see no white-winged angels now. But yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child's.

The happiest women, like the happiest nations, have no history.

Affection is the broadest basis of a good life.

Ah! but the moods lie in his nature, my boy, just as much as his reflections did, and more. A man can never do anything at variance with his own nature. He carries within him the germ of his most exceptional action; and if we wise people make eminent fools of ourselves on any particular occasion, we must endure the legitimate conclusion that we carry a few grains of folly to our ounce of wisdom.

Oh, child, men's men: gentle or simple, they're much of a muchness.

There's no disappointment in memory, and one's exaggerations are always on the good side.

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