The gifts of Heaven are never quite gratuitous.

Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it.

Though the words Canada East on the map stretch over many rivers and lakes and unexplored wildernesses, the actual Canada, which might be the colored portion of the map, is but a little clearing on the banks of the river, which one of those syllables would more than cover.

Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling.

What is human warfare but just this; an effort to make the laws of God and nature take sides with one party.

I have a great deal of company in my house; especially in the morning, when nobody calls.

Men are as innocent as the morning to the unsuspicious.