God makes the life fertile by disappointments, as he makes the ground fertile by frosts.

There are more quarrels smothered by just shutting your mouth, and holding it shut, than by all the wisdom in the world.

A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a mentor, a teacher, a guidepost, a counsellor.

Expedients are for the hour, but principles are for the ages.

Going out into life--that is dying. Christ is the door out of life.

No cradle for an emperor's child was ever prepared with so much magnificence as this world has been made for man. But it is only his cradle.

A dull ax never loves grindstones.