Praise when merited is not a boon: yet to a generous nature, is it pleasant to utter it.

Whatever has made, or does make, or may make music, should be held sacred as the golden bridle-bit of the Shah of Persia's horse,and the golden hammer, with which his hoofs are shod.

Our institutions have a potent digestion, and may in time convert and assimilate to good all elements thrown in, however originally alien.

Be sure of this, O young ambition, all mortal greatness is but disease.

Is Ahab, Ahab? Is it I, God, or who, that lifts this arm? But if the great sun move not of himself; but is an errand-boy in heaven; nor one single star can revolve, but by some invisible power; how then can this one small heart beat; this one small brain think thoughts; unless God does that beating, does that thinking, does that living, and not I.

It is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realise the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.

Nothing can lift the heart of man like manhood in a fellow man.