The greater the interest involved in a truth the more careful, self-distrustful, and patient should be the inquiry.

In all ranks of life the human heart yearns for the beautiful; and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike.

No ornament of a house can compare with books; they are constant company in a room, even when you are not reading them.

It would be an incalculable gain to domestic happiness, if people would begin the concert of life with their instruments tuned to a very low pitch: they who receive the most happiness are generally they who demand and expect the least.

The pain of discipline is short, but the glory of the fruition is eternal.

To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization.

Sensitive people never like the fatigue of justifying their instincts.