We first crush people to the earth, and then claim the right of trampling on them forever, because they are prostrate.

The laws of our being are such that we must perform some degree of use in the world, whether we intend it, or not; but we can deprive ourselves of its indwelling joy, by acting entirely from the love of self.

To everything there is a bright side and a dark side; and I hold it to be unwise, unphilosophic, unkind to others, and unhealthy for one's own soul, to form the habit of looking on the dark side. Cheerfulness is to the spiritual atmosphere what sunshine is to the earthly landscape. I am resolved to cherish cheerfulness with might and main.

Love is the divine quality that everywhere produces and restores life. To each and every one of us, it gives the power of working miracles if we will.

the excess of all good things is mischievous.

Whoso does not see that genuine life is a battle and a march has poorly read his origin and his destiny.

affectation is fond of making a greater show than reality. ... Nature and truth have never learned to blow the trumpet, and never will.