Among provocatives, the next best thing to good preaching is bad preaching. I have even more thoughts during or enduring it than at other times.

Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut.

We, as we read, must become Greeks, Romans, Turks, priest and king, martyr and executioner; must fasten these images to some reality in our secret experience, or we shall learn nothing rightly.

But genius looks forward: the eyes of men are set in his forehead, not in his hindhead: man hopes: genius creates.

A friend may be nature's most magnificent creation.

Nothing in nature is exhausted in its first use...In God, every end is converted into a new means.

Far off, men swell, bully, and threaten; bring them hand to hand, and they are feeble folk.