But the whim we have of happiness is somewhat thus. By certain valuations, and averages, of our own striking, we come upon some sort of average terrestrial lot; this we fancy belongs to us by nature, and of indefeasible rights. It is simple payment of our wages, of our deserts; requires neither thanks nor complaint. Foolish soul! What act of legislature was there that thou shouldst be happy? A little while ago thou hadst no right to be at all.

Unity, agreement, is always silent or soft-voiced; it is only discord that loudly proclaims itself.

Insurrection, never so necessary, is a most sad necessity; and governors who wait for that to instruct them are surely getting into the fatalest course.

Of all your troubles, great and small, the greatest are the ones that don't happen at all.

The glory of a workman, still more of a master workman, that he does his work well, ought to be his most precious possession; like the honor of a soldier, dearer to him than life.

Does not every true man feel that he is himself made higher by doing reverence to what is really above him?

How indestructibly the good grows, and propagates itself, even among the weedy entanglements of evil.