The book which you read from a sense of duty, or because for any reason you must, does not commonly make friends with you.

By beauty of course I mean truth, for the one involves the other; it is only the false in art which is ugly, and it is only the ugly that is universal.

We are creatures of the moment; we live from one little space to another, and only one interest at a time fills these.

The disposition to give a cup of cold water to a disciple is a far nobler property than the finest intellect. Satan has a fine intellect, but not the image of God.

I know, indeed, of nothing more subtly satisfying and cheering than a knowledge of the real good will and appreciation of others. Such happiness does not come with money, nor does it flow from fine physical state. It cannot be brought. But it is the keenest joy, after all; and the toiler's truest and best reward.

A friend knows how to allow for mere quantity in your talk, and only replies to the quality.

Is it worth while to observe that there are no Venetian blinds in Venice?