History shows that the majority of people that have done anything great have passed their youth in seclusion.

The true past departs not, no truth or goodness realized by man ever dies, or can die; but all is still here, and, recognized or not, lives and works through endless change.

The only happiness a brave person ever troubles themselves in asking about, is happiness enough to get their work done.

Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.

A man's felicity consists not in the outward and visible blessing of fortune, but in the inward and unseen perfections and riches of the mind.

Experience takes dreadfully high school-wages, but he teaches like no other.

The Great Man's sincerity is of the kind he cannot speak of, is not conscious of: nay, I suppose, he is conscious rather of insincerity; for what man can walk accurately by the law of truth for one day? No, the Great Man does not boast himself sincere, far from that; perhaps does not ask himself if he is so: I would say rather, his sincerity does not depend on himself; he cannot help being sincere!