…often between ourselves and those nearest and dearest to us there exists a reserve which it is very hard to overcome.

My only answer is, if my grave stood open on one side and you upon the other I'd go into my grave before I would take one step to meet you.

It is never too early to try and plant [good principles] in a child, and never too late to cultivate them in the most neglected person.

Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow.

The girls gave their hearts into their mother's keeping-their souls into their father's; and to both parents, who lived and labored so faithfully for them, they gave a love that grew with their growth, and bound them tenderly together by the sweetest tie which blesses life and outlives death.

I can get on with wild beasts first-rate; but men rile me awfully.

Fame is a pearl many dive for and only a few bring up. Even when they do, it is not perfect, and they sigh for more, and lose better things in struggling for them.