If the thing is impossible, you need not trouble yourselves about it; if possible, try for it.

A man is born an artist as a hippopotamus is born a hippopotamus; and you can no more make yourself one than you can make yourself a giraffe.

Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity.

In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.

Education is the leading of human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them.

Your honesty is not to be based either on religion or policy. Both your religion and policy must be based on it. Your honesty must be based, as the sun is, in vacant heaven; poised, as the lights in the firmament, which have rule over the day and over the night.

There is never vulgarity in a whole truth, however commonplace. It may be unimportant or painful. It cannot be vulgar. Vulgarity is only in concealment of truth, or in affectation.