Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads on to actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.

No true civilization can be expected permanently to continue which is not based on the great principles of Christianity.

There is often as much independence in not being led as in not being driven.

The most we can get out of life is its discipline for ourselves, and its usefulness for others.

The first step to improvement, whether mental, moral, or religious, is to know ourselves - our weaknesses, errors, deficiencies, and sins, that, by divine grace, we may overcome and turn from them all.

Always have a book at hand, in the parlor, on the table, for the family; a book of condensed thought and striking anecdote, of sound maxims and truthful apothegms. It will impress on your own mind a thousand valuable suggestions, and teach your children a thousand lessons of truth and duty. Such a book is a casket of jewels for your housebold.

Nature hath nothing made so base, but can read some instruction to the wisest man.