The only ugliness is that of the heart, seen through the face. And though beauty be obvious, the only loveliness is invisible.

It is not for man to follow the trail of truth too far, since by so doing he entirely loses the directing compass of his mind.

Twelve o'clock! It is the natural centre, key-stone, and very heart of the day. At that hour, the sun has arrived at the top of his hill; and as he seems to hang poised there a while, before coming down on the other side, it is but reasonable to suppose that he is then stopping to dine; setting an eminent example to all mankind.

For, as when the red-cheeked, dancing girls, April and May, trip home to the wintry, misanthropic woods; even the barest, ruggedest, most thunder-cloven old oak will at least send forth some few green sprouts, to welcome such glad-hearted visitants . . .

Appalling is the soul of a man! Better might one be pushed off into the material spaces beyond the uttermost orbit of our sun, than once feel himself fairly afloat in himself.

Think not, is my eleventh commandment; and sleep when you can, is my twelfth.

Bachelors alone can travel freely, and without any twinges of their consciences touching desertion of the fire-side.