However often we turn to it [the Koran] at first disgusting us each time afresh, it soon attracts, astounds, and in the end enforces our reverence. . . . Its style, in accordance with its contents and aim is stern, grand, terrible - ever and anon truly sublime - Thus this book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence.

Excellence is rarely found, more rarely valued.

Mankind? That is an abstraction. There have always been and always will be only individuals.

I love those who yearn for the impossible.

Water its living strength first shows, When obstacles its course oppose.

Wood burns because it has the proper stuff for that purpose in it; and a man becomes renowned because he has the necessary stuff in him. Renown is not to be sought, and all pursuit of it is vain. A person may, indeed, by skillful conduct and various artificial means, make a sort of name for himself; but if the inner jewel is wanting, all is vanity, and will not last a day.

We can't form our children on our own concepts; we must take them and love them as God gives them to us.