Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof.

To genius life never grows commonplace.

Most men make the voyage of life as if they carried sealed orders which they were not to open till they were fairly in mid-ocean.

In vain we call old notions fudge, And bend our conscience to our dealing; The Ten Commandments will not budge, And stealing will continue stealing.

Who's not sat tense before his own heart's curtain.

Earth gets its price for what Earth gives us; The beggar is taxed for a corner to die in, The priest hath his fee who comes and shrives us, We bargain for the graves we lie in; Each ounce of dross costs its ounce of gold... 'T is heaven alone that is given away, 'T is only God may be had for the asking; There is no price set on the lavish summer, And June may be had by the poorest comer.

It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested.