Imaginary evils soon become real one by indulging our reflections on them.

"Taste is not only a part and index of morality, it is the only morality. The first, and last, and closest trial question to any living creature is "What do you like?" Tell me what you like, I'll tell you what you are."

Human work must be done honourably and thoroughly, because we are now Men; whether we ever expect to be angels, or were ever slugs, being practically no matter.

The history of humanity is not the history of its wars, but the history of its households.

But if, indeed, there be a nobler life in us than in these strangely moving atoms; if, indeed, there is an eternal difference between the fire which inhabits them, and that which animates us,--it must be shown, by each of us in his appointed place, not merely in the patience, but in the activity of our hope, not merely by our desire, but our labor, for the time when the dust of the generations of men shall be confirmed for foundations of the gates of the city of God.

There is no music in a “rest” that I know of, but there's the making of music in it. And people are always missing that part of the life melody.

At every moment of our lives we should be trying to find out, not in what we differ with other people, but in what we agree with them.