Though an inheritance of acres may be bequeathed, an inheritance of knowledge and wisdom cannot. The wealthy man may pay others for doing his work for him; but it is impossible to get his thinking done for him by another, or to purchase any kind of self-culture.

The apprenticeship of difficulty is one which the greatest of men have had to serve.

Purposes, like eggs, unless they be hatched into action, will run into rottenness.

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.

Like men, nations are purified and strengthened by trials.

Those who aren't making mistakes probably aren't making anything.

With will one can do anything.