When one man has reduced a fact of the imagination to be a fact to his understanding, I foresee that all men will at length establish their lives on that basis.

Nature would not appear so rich, the profusion so rich, if we knew a use for everything.

I do not remember anything which Confucius has said directly respecting man's "origin, purpose, and destiny." He was more practical than that. He is full of wisdom applied to human relations,--to the private life,--the family,--government, etc. It is remarkable that, according to his own account, the sum and substance of his teaching is, as you know, to do as you would be done by.

Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.

Talk of mysteries! — Think of our life in nature, — daily to be shown matter, to come in contact with it, — rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks! The solid earth! The actual world! The common sense! Contact! Contact! Who are we? Where are we?

Many college text-books, which were a weariness and stumbling-block when I studied, I have since read a little with pleasure and profit.

Men are born to succeed, not to fail.