Truth is ever incoherent, and when the big hearts strike together, the concussion is a little stunning.

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

The world's a ship on its voyage out, and not a voyage complete; and the pulpit is its prow.

Human madness is oftentimes a cunning and most feline thing

Dollars damn me; and the malicious Devil is forever grinning in upon me, holding the door ajar. ... What I feel most moved to write, that is banned - it will not pay. Yet, altogether, write the other way I cannot. So the product is a final hash, and all my books are botches.

flight from tyranny does not of itself insure a safe asylum, far less a happy home.

Failure is the true test of greatness