Religion indeed enlightens, terrifies, subdues; it gives faith, it inflicts remorse, it inspires resolutions, it draws tears, it inflames devotion, but only for the occasion.

It is seldom we have the heart to throw ourselves, if I may so speak, on the Divine Arm; we dare not trust ourselves on the waters, though Christ bids us. We have not St. Peter's love to ask leave to come to him upon the sea. When we once are filled with that heavenly charity, we can do all things, because we attempt all things - for to attempt is to do.

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.

A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.

It is very difficult to get up resentment towards persons whom one has never seen.

Such is the constitution of the human mind, that any kind of knowledge, if it be really such, is its own reward.

Let us act on what we have, since we have not what we wish.