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.

Men worship the shows of great men; the most disbelieve that there is any reality of great men to worship.

If a book comes from the heart, it will contrive to reach other hearts; all art and author-craft are of small amount to that.

Give us, O give us the man who sings at his work! Be his occupation what it may, he is equal to any of those who follow the same pursuit in silent sullenness. He will do more in the same time . . . he will do it better . . . he will persevere longer. One is scarcely sensible to fatigue while he marches to music. The very stars are said to make harmony as they revolve in their spheres.

With stupidity and sound digestion, man may front much.

For all right judgment of any man or things it is useful, nay, essential, to see his good qualities before pronouncing on his bad.

Why tell me that a man is a fine speaker, if it is not the truth that he is speaking?