The power of a man increases steadily by continuance in one direction. He becomes acquainted with the resistances and with his own tools; increases his skill and strength and learns the favorable moments and favorable accidents.

Proverbs, words, and grammar inflections convey the public sense with more purity and precision, than the wisest individual.

So much of our time is spent in preparation, so much in routine, and so much in retrospect, that the amount of each person's genius is confined to a very few hours.

Happy will the house be in which the relationships are formed from character.

Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring. Any absorbing passion has the effect to deliver from the little coils and cares of every day: 'tis the heat which sets our human atoms spinning, overcomes the friction of crossing thresholds, and first addresses in society, and gives us a good start and speed, easy to continue, when once it is begun.

There is also something excellent in every audience,--the capacity of virtue. They are ready to be beatified.

The stupidity of men always invites the insolence of power.