Any coward can fight a battle when he's sure of winning; but give me the man who has the pluck to fight when he's sure of losing.

It is good to be helpful and kindly, but don't give yourself to be melted into candle grease for the benefit of the tallow trade.

Childhood has no forebodings; but then, it is soothed by no memories of outlived sorrow.

...Though there's reasons in things as nobody knows on---- that's pretty much what I've made out; yet some folks are so wise they'll find you fifty reasons straight off, and all the while the real reason's winking at 'em in the corner, and they niver see't.

What should I do—how should I act now, this very day . . . What she would resolve to do that day did not yet seem quite clear, but something that she could achieve stirred her as with an approaching murmur which would soon gather distinctness.

Falsehood is easy, truth so difficult.

We are rather apt to consider an act wrong because it is unpleasant to us.