The ocean moans over dead men's bones.

Gracious to all, to none subservient, Without offense he spoke the word he meant

To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent that is to triumph over old age.

Books that have become classics - books that have had their day and now get more praise than perusal - always remind me of retired colonels and majors and captains who, having reached the age limit, find themselves retired on half pay.

It were better to be a soldier's widow than a coward's wife.

No bird has ever uttered note That was not in some first bird's throat; Since Eden's freshness and man's fall No rose has been original.

Great orators who are not also great writers become very indistinct shadows to the generations following them. The spell vanishes with the voice.