A smile is ever the most bright and beautiful with a tear upon it. What is the dawn without the dew? The tear is rendered by the smile precious above the smile itself.

We cannot conquer fate and necessity, yet we can yield to them in such a manner as to be greater than if we could.

Consciousness of error is, to a certain extent, a consciousness of understanding; and correction of error is the plainest proof of energy and mastery.

Wisdom consisteth not in knowing many things, nor even in knowing them thoroughly; but in choosing and in following what conduces the most certainly to our lasting happiness and true glory.

Men, like nails, lose their usefulness when they lose their direction and begin to bend.

When a cat flatters ... he is not insincere: you may safely take it for real kindness.

That which moveth the heart most is the best poetry; it comes nearest unto God, the source of all power.