A man without a vote is in this land like a man without a hand.

The humblest individual exerts some influence, either for good or evil, upon others.

There are many trials in life which do not seem to come from unwisdom or folly; they are silver arrows shot from the bow of God, and fixed inextricably in the quivering heart - they are meant to be borne - they were not meant, like snow or water, to melt as soon as they strike; but the moment an ill can be patiently borne it is disarmed of its poison, though not of its pain.

A man without mirth is like wagon without springs, in which one is caused disagreeably to jolt by every pebble over which it turns.

I would much rather fight pride than vanity, because pride has a stand-up way of fighting. You know where it is. It throws its black shadow on you, and you are not at a loss where to strike. But vanity is that delusive, that insectiferous, that multiplied feeling, and men that fight vanities are like men that fight midges and butterflies. It is easier to chase them than to hit them.

The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.

Laughter is day, and sobriety is night; a smile is the twilight that hovers gently between both, more bewitching than either.