The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.

Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world.

In the unceasing ebb and flow of justice and oppression we must all dig channels as best we may, that at the propitious moment somewhat of the swelling tide may be conducted to the barren places of life.

You do not know what life means when all the difficulties are removed!

We have learned to say that the good must be extended to all of society before it can be held secure by any one person or any one class. But we have not yet learned to add to that statement, that unless all [people] and all classes contribute to a good, we cannot even be sure that it is worth having.

The essence of immorality is the tendency to make an exception of myself.

I might believe I had unusual talent if I did not know what good music was; I might enjoy half an hour's practice a day if I were busy and happy the rest of the time. You do not know what life means when all the difficulties are removed! I am simply smothered and sickened with advantages. It is like eating a sweet dessert the first thing in the morning.