High aims form high characters, and great objects bring out great minds.
What we gave, we have; What we spent, we had; What we left, we lost.
Deviation from either truth or duty is a downward path.
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past - the best evidence of regret for them that we can offer, or the world receive.
The most we can get out of life is its discipline for ourselves, and its usefulness for others.
One of the great lessons the fall of the leaf teaches, is this: do your work well and then be ready to depart when God shall call.