Men are seldom more commonplace than on supreme occasions.

A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner, but more durable alloy.

Sensible people get the greater part of their own dying done during their own lifetime

There is no true gracefulness which is not epitomized goodness.

Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mold and chisel and complete a character.

Books want to be born: I never make them. They come to me and insist on being written, and on being such and such.

Prayers are to men as dolls are to children.