A soul occupied with great ideas performs small duties.

I have no sympathy for those who, under any pressure of circumstances, sacrifice their heart's-love for legal prostitution.

There have been few things in my life which have had a more genial effect on my mind than the possession of a piece of land.

it matters infinitely less what we do than what we are.

[On being deaf:] We can never get beyond the necessity of keeping in full view the worst and the best that can be made of our lot. The worst is, either to sink under the trial, or to be made callous by it. The best is, to be as wise as is possible under a great disability, and as happy as is possible under a great privation.

There is no death to those who perfectly love-only disappearance, which in time may be borne.

Self-denial is taught much better by inspiring the love of our neighbor, than by the prohibition of innocent comforts and pleasures. Spirituality is much better taught by making spiritual things the objects of supreme desire, than by commanding an ostentatious avoidance of the enjoyments of life.