Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.

Nobody is so heartily despised as a pusillanimous, lazy, good-for-nothing, land-lubber; a sailor has no bowels of compassion for him.

The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails whereon my soul is grooved to run

Warmest climes but nurse the cruellest fangs: the tiger of Bengal crouches in spiced groves of ceaseless verdure. Skies the most effulgent but basket the deadliest thunders: gorgeous Cuba knows tornadoes that never swept tame northern lands.

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

Until we understand that our grief outweighs a thousand joys, we will never understand what Christianity is all about.

All truth is profound.