It is characteristic of spontaneous friendship to take on first, without enquiry and almost at first sight, the unseen doings and unspoken sentiments of our friends; the parts known give us evidence enough that the unknown parts cannot be much amiss.

Nothing can be meaner than the anxiety to live on, to live on anyhow and in any shape.

Mortality has its compensations; one is that all evils are transitory, another that better times may come.

Periods of tranquillity are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up.

Civilization is perhaps approaching one of those long winters that overtake it from time to time. Romantic Christendom - picturesque, passionate, unhappy episode - may be coming to an end. Such a catastrophe would be no reason for despair.

It takes patience to appreciate domestic bliss; volatile spirits prefer unhappiness.

Matters of religion should never be matters of controversy. We neither argue with a lover about his taste, nor condemn him, if we are just, for knowing so human a passion.