Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning.

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

Childhood itself is scarcely more lovely than a cheerful, kindly, sunshiny old age.

In the first place, an unjust law exists in this Commonwealth, by which marriages between persons of different color is pronounced illegal. I am perfectly aware of the gross ridicule to which I may subject myself by alluding to this particular; but I have lived too long, and observed too much, to be disturbed by the world's mockery.

Make people happy and there will not be half the quarreling, or a tenth part of the wickedness there now is.

[U]sefulness is happiness, and... all other things are but incidental.

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.