Stothard learned the art of combining colors by closely studying butterflies wings; he would often say that no one knew what he owed to these tiny insects. A burnt stick and a barn door served Wilkie in lieu of pencil and canvas.

The career of a great man remains an enduring monument of human energy. The man dies and disappears, but his thoughts and acts survive and leave an indelible stamp upon his race.

Character is itself a fortune.

Even happiness itself may become habitual. There is a habit of looking at the bright side of things, and also of looking at the dark side.

Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.

He who labours not, cannot enjoy the reward of labour.

The great lesson of biography is to show what man can be and do at his best. A noble life put fairly on record acts like an inspiration to others.