There is no king who has not had a slave among his ancestors, and no slave who has not had a king among his.

What a joy it is to feel the soft, springy earth under my feet once more, to follow grassy roads that lead to ferny brooks where I can bathe my fingers in a cataract of rippling notes, or to clamber over a stone wall into green fields that tumble and roll and climb in riotous gladness!

Happiness calls out responsive gladness in others. There is enough sadness in the world without yours ... never doubt the excellence and permanence of what is yet to be. Join the great company of those who make the barren places of life fruitful with kindness.

People are too prone to think that the actual is the limit of possibility. They believe that all that has been done is all that can be done.

What really counts in life is the quiet meeting of every difficulty with the determination to get out of it all the good there is.

There is a dangerous optimism of ignorance and indifference.

It is not possible for civilization to flow backwards while there is youth in the world. Youth may be headstrong, but it will advance it allotted length.