Literature is the effort of man to indemnify himself for the wrongs of his condition.

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.

Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in its life, mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows.

Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.

We must not inquire too curiously into the absolute value of literature. Enough that it amuses and exercises us. At least it leaves us where we were. It names things, but does not add things.

Prayer that craves a particular commodity—anything less than all good, is vicious. Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the soliloquy of a beholding and jubilant soul. It is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good. But prayer as a means to effect a private end is theft and meanness. It supposes dualism and not unity in nature and consciousness. As soon as the man is at one with God, he will not beg.

Every natural action is graceful.