The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish.

To avoid an occasion for our virtues is a worse degree of failure than to push forward pluckily and make a fall.

It is the history of our kindnesses that alone make this world tolerable. If it were not for that, for the effect of kind words, kind looks, kind letters . . . I should be inclined to think our life a practical jest in the worst possible spirit.

This grove, that was now so peaceful, must then have rung with cries, I thought; and even with the thought I could believe I heard it ringing still.

A generous prayer is never presented in vain; the petition may be refused, but the petitioner is always, I believe, rewarded by some gracious visitation.

Wealth I ask not, hope nor love, Nor a friend to know me; All I seek, the heaven above And the road below me.

The rain is falling all around, It falls on field and tree, It rains on the umbrellas here, And on the ships at sea. - Rain