Those who cannot think, have, in my opinion, a necessity (which goes very far towards creating a right) for amusement.

self-control, in every station and to every individual, is indispensable, if people would retain that equanimity of mind, which, depending on self-respect, is the essential of contentment and happiness.

the engrossing pursuit of Americans is wealth.

Riches are always over estimated; the enjoyment they give is more in the pursuit than the possession.

It is useless to check the vain dunce who has caught the mania of scribbling, whether prose or poetry, canzonets or criticisms,--let such a one go on till the disease exhausts itself. Opposition like water, thrown on burning oil, but increases the evil, because a person of weak judgment will seldom listen to reason, but become obstinate under reproof.

Why is it that water, so monotonous in its characteristics, should nevertheless possess a charm for every mind? I believe it is chiefly because it bears the impress of the Creator, which we feel neither the power of time or of man can efface or alter.

It requires but a few threads of hope, for the heart that is skilled in the secret, to weave a web of happiness.