A good, finished scandal, fully armed and equipped, such as circulates in the world, is rarely the production of a single individual, or even of a single coterie. It sees the light in one; is rocked and nurtured in another; is petted, developed, and attains its growth in a third; and receives its finishing touches only after passing through a multitude of hands. It is a child that can count a host of fathers--all ready to disown it.

Let us resist the opinion of the world fearlessly, provided only that our self-respect grows in proportion to our indifference.

The best advice on the art of being happy is about as easy to follow as advice to be well when one is sick.

Our vanity is the constant enemy of our dignity.

We must labor unceasingly to render our piety reasonable, and our reason pious.

I like people to be saints; but I want them to be first and superlatively honest men.

He who has never denied himself for the sake of giving has but glanced at the joys of charity.