It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes.

If a man were to place himself in an attitude to bear manfully the greatest evil that can be inflicted on him, he would find suddenly that there was no such evil to bear; his brave back would go a-begging.

The past is only so heroic as we see it. It is the canvas on which our idea of heroism is painted, and so, in one sense, the dim prospectus of our future field.

It is good even to be a fisherman in summer and in winter.

In ancient days the Pythagoreans were used to change names with each other,--fancying that each would share the virtues they admired in the other.

All that is told of the sea has a fabulous sound to an inhabitant of the land and all its products have a certain fabulous quality, as if they belonged to another planet.

Nature is as well adapted to our weakness as to our strength.