Homeliness is almost as great a merit in a book as in a house, if the reader would abide there. It is next to beauty, and a very high art.

There is no beginning too small.

Not till we are lost, in other words not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations.

How many things are now at loose ends! Who knows which way the wind will blow tomorrow?

Through our own recovered innocence we discern the innocence of our neighbors.

A man may acquire a taste for wine or brandy, and so lose his love for water, but should we not pity him.

We shall see but a little way if we require to understand what we see.