Most of us are experts at solving other people's problems, but we generally solve them in terms of our own and the advice we give is seldom for other people but for ourselves.

the urgent crowds out the essential.

Enthusiasm is a plant which grows variously in the varying soils of different natures.

children once settled and confident can mostly be left, it seems, to manage their difficulties without us. Only what we must do, always and unalterably, is hold their hand firmly in general goodwill, then they themselves seem to deal with their own particular troubles far better than we can.

happiness makes us older, less romantic, less in need of dreams. Discontent, not happiness, is the food of youth and poetry.

We love those we are happy with. We do. For how else can we know we love them, or how else define loving?

Understanding, above all, is a gift we should never offer uninvited.