Apologizing - a very desperate habit - one that is rarely cured. Apology is only egotism wrong side out.

Men are tattooed with their special beliefs like so many South Sea Islanders; but a real human heart with divine love in it beats with the same glow under all the patterns of all earth's thousand tribes.

The ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas [and] the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.

Every calling is great when greatly pursued.

The great end of being is to harmonize man with the order of things, and the church has been a good pitch-pipe, and may be so still.

Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing.

Fame is the scentless sunflower, with gaudy crown of gold; But friendship is the rose, with sweets in every fold.