He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not be great. Failure is the true test of greatness. And if it be said, that continual success is a proof that a man wisely knows his powers,--it is only to be added, that, in that case, he knows them to be small.

As with ships, so with men; he who turns his back to his foe gives him an advantage.

Real strength never impairs beauty or harmony, but it often bestows it, and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength has much to do with the magic.

A man can be honest in any sort of skin.

Much of a man's character will be found betokened in his backbone. I would rather feel your spine than your skull, whoever you are. A thin joist of a spine never yet upheld a full and noble soul.

The drama's done. Why then here does any one step forth? — Because one did survive the wreck.

The sweetest joys of life grow in the very jaws of its perils.