People are always talking about originality; but what do they mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work upon us; and this goes on to the end. And after all, what can we call our own, except energy, strength, and will? If I could give an account of all that I owe to great predecessors and contemporaries, there would be but a small balance in my favor.

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.

Those who have no hope for a future life are already dead for the present one.

It is natural to man to regard himself as the object of the creation, and to think of all things in relation to himself, and the degree in which they can serve and be useful to him.

To tremble before anticipated evils is to bemoan what thou hast never lost.

Every need whose true satisfaction is denied leads by necessity to faith.

Beware of her fair hair, for she excels All women in the magic of her locks; And when she winds them round a young man's neck, She will not ever set him free again.