What ascends up in prayer descends to us again in blessings. It is like the rain which just now fell, and which had been drawn up from the ground in vapors to the clouds before it descended from them to the earth in that refreshing shower.

we contrive to make revenge itself look like religion. We call down thunder on many a head under pretence, that those on whom we invoke it are God's enemies, when perhaps we invoke it because they are ours.

Anger is a violent act, envy a constant habit - no one can be always angry, but he may be always envious.

The ingenuity of self-deception is inexhaustible.

To those who know thee not, no words can paint! And those who know thee, know all words are faint!

Nothing raises the price of a blessing like its removal; whereas it was its continuance which should have taught us its value. There are three requisitions to the proper enjoyment of earthly blessings,--a thankful reflection on the goodness of the Giver, a deep sense of our unworthiness, a recollection of the uncertainty of long possessing them. The first would make us grateful; the second, humble; and the third, moderate.

Commending a right thing is a cheap substitute for doing it, with which we are too apt to satisfy ourselves.