My books are my tools, and the greater their variety and perfection the greater the help to my literary work.

To be good, we must do good; and by doing good we take a sure means of being good, as the use and exercise of the muscles increase their power.

High aims form high characters, and great objects bring out great minds.

Seek for duty, and happiness will follow as the shadow comes with the sunshine.

Anecdotes are sometimes the best vehicles of truth, and if striking and appropriate are often more impressive and powerful than argument.

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.

True religion extends alike to the intellect and the heart. Intellect is in vain if it lead not to emotion, and emotion is vain if not enlightened by intellect; and both are vain if not guided by truth and leading to duty.