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

Sharp men, like sharp needles, break easy, though they pierce quick.

As plants take hold, not for the sake of staying, but only that they may climb higher, so it is with men. By every part of our nature we clasp things above us, one after another, not for the sake of remaining where we take hold, but that we may go higher.

There are apartments in the soul which have a glorious outlook; from whose windows you can see across the river of death, and into the shining city beyond; but how often are these neglected for the lower ones, which have earthward-looking windows.

The grossest, the cruelest, the most selfish, the most easily pervertible and perverted thing in this world, is government.

There is not a single heart but has its moments of longing.

The monkey is an organized sarcasm upon the human race.