Hope is incredible to the slave of grief.

Suspicion is the cancer of friendship.

Books can warm the heart with friendly words and counsel, entering into a close relationship with us which is articulate and alive

Man has no greater enemy than himself. I have acted contrary to my sentiments and inclination; throughout our whole lives we do what we never intended, and what we proposed to do, we leave undone.

Mere elegance of language can produce at best but an empty renown.

How quick the old woe follows a little bliss!

In my younger days I struggled constantly with an overwhelming but pure love affair - my only one, and I would have struggled with it longer had not premature death, bitter but salutary for me, extinguished the cooling flames. I certainly wish I could say that I have always been entirely free from desires of the flesh, but I would be lying if I did.