You desire to know the art of living, my friend? It is contained in one phrase: make use of suffering.

Blessed be childhood, which brings down something of heaven into the midst of our rough earthliness.

We are always making God our accomplice, that so we may legalize our own iniquities. Every successful massacre is consecrated by a Te Deum, and the clergy have never been wanting in benedictions for any victorious enormity.

Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not.

What governs men is the fear of truth.

Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you.

It would have been a joy to me to be smiled upon, loved, encouraged, welcomed, and to obtain what I was so ready to give, kindness and goodwill. But to hunt down consideration and reputation - to force the esteem of others - seemed to me an effort unworthy of myself, almost a degradation.