For the most part, we should pray rather in aspiration than petition, rather by hoping than requesting; in which spirit also we may breathe a devout wish for a blessing on others upon occasions when it might be presumptuous to beg it.

To receive a present handsomely and in a right spirit, even when you have none to give in return, is to give one in return.

Where the mouth is sweet and the eyes intelligent, there is always the look of beauty, with a right heart.

God made both tears and laughter, and both for kind purposes; for as laughter enables mirth and surprise to breathe freely, so tears enable sorrow to vent itself patiently. Tears hinder sorrow from becoming despair and madness.

Mirth itself is too often but melancholy in disguise.

Some tears belong to us because we are unfortunate; others, because we are humane; many, because we are mortal. But most are caused by our being unwise. It is these last only that of necessity produce more.

Poetry is the breath of beauty.