A vivid thought brings the power to paint it; and in proportion to the depth of its source is the force of its projection.

I see not any road of perfect peace which a man can walk but after the counsel of his own bosom.

Senators and presidents have climbed so high with pain enough, not because they think the place specially agreeable, but as an apology for real worth, and to vindicate their manhood in our eyes. This conspicuous chair is their compensation to themselves for being of a poor, cold, hard nature.

A system-grinder hates the truth.

It is impossible for a man to be cheated by anyone but himself.

Almost all people descend to meet. All association must be a compromise, and, what is worst, the very flower and aroma of the flower of each of the beautiful natures disappears as they approach each other.

Nature arms each man with some faculty which enables him to do easily some feat impossible to any other, and thus makes him necessary to society. ... Society can never prosper, but must always be bankrupt, until every man does that which he was created to do.