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

The mere wit is only a human bauble. He is to life what bells are to horses-not expected to draw the load, but only to jingle while the horses draw.

But when we borrow trouble, and look forward into the future to see what storms are coming, and distress ourselves before they come as to how we shall avert them if they ever do come, we lose our proper trustfulness in God. When we torment ourselves with imaginary dangers, or trials, or reverses, we have already parted with that perfect love which casteth out fear.

A man without ambition is like a beautiful worm - it can creep, but it cannot fly.

The beginnings of moral enterprises in this world are never to be measured by any apparent growth. ... At length comes the sudden ripeness and the full success, and he who is called in at the final moment deems this success his own. He is but the reaper and not the labourer. Other men sowed and tilled and he but enters into their labours.

Good-humor makes all things tolerable

A man's true estate of power and riches is to be in himself; not in his dwelling or position or external relations, but in his own essential character.