Life comes before literature, as the material always comes before the work. The hills are full of marble before the world blooms with statues.

He who thinks that he is being released from the work, and not set free in order that he may accomplish that work, mistakes the Christ from whom the freedom comes, mistakes the condition into which his soul is invited.

We do not want to lose our grief, because our grief is bound up with our love and we could not cease to mourn without being robbed of our affections.

We may say that on the first Good Friday afternoon was completed that great act by which light conquered darkness and goodness conquered sin. That is the wonder of our Saviour's crucifixion.

Christmas day is a day of joy and charity. May God make you very rich in both.

There is a necessary limit to our achievement, but none to our attempt.

We are haunted by an ideal life, and it is because we have within us the beginning and the possibility of it.