Astronomers have built telescopes which can show myriads of stars unseen before; but when a man looks through a tear in his own eye, that is a lens which opens reaches into the unknown, and reveals orbs which no telescope, however skilfully constructed, could do.

The imagination is the secret and marrow of civilization. It is the very eye of faith.

We not only live among men, but there are airy hosts, blessed spectators, sympathetic lookers-on, that see and know and appreciate our thoughts and feelings and acts.

Mountains of gold would not seduce some men, yet flattery would break them down.

The thistle is a prince. Let any man that has an eye for beauty take a view of the whole plant, and where will he see a more expressive grace and symmetry; and where is there a more kingly flower?

The strength of a man consists in finding out the way God is going, and going that way.

Faith is a recognition of those things which are above the senses.