in certain crises direct expression of sympathy is the least possible to those who most feel sympathy.

Conscientious people are apt to see their duty in that which is the most painful course.

... indefinite visions of ambition are weak against the ease of doing what is habitual or beguilingly agreeable.

As to memory, it is known that this frail faculty naturally lets drop the facts which are less flattering to our self-love - when it does not retain them carefully as subjects not to be approached, marshy spots with a warning flag over them.

I'm not denyin' the women are foolish. God Almighty made 'em to match the men.

Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.

In the days when the spinning wheels hummed busily in the farmhouses--and even great ladies, clothed in silk and thread lace, had their toy spinning wheels of polished oak--there might be seen, in districts far away among the lanes, or deep in the bosom of the hills, certain palled undersized men who, by the side of the brawny country-folk, looked like the remnants of a disinherited race.