The flowers of life are but illusions. How many fade away and leave no trace.

Let mental culture go on advancing, let the natural sciences progress in even greater extent and depth, and the human mind widen itself as much as it desires: beyond the elevation and moral culture of Christianity, as it shines forth in the Gospels, it will not go.

There are people who pay attention to the weaknesses of their friends; that is to no avail. I have always closely watched and profited from the strengths of my adversaries.

Let us seek to fathom those things that are fathomable and reserve those things which are unfathomable for reverence in quietude.

I believe in God and in nature and in the triumph of good over evil.

Strike the dog dead, it's but a critic!

To appear at church every Sunday; to look down upon, and let himself be looked at for an hour by the congregation, is the best means of becoming popular which can be recommended to a young sovereign.