The surest hindrance of success is to have too high a standard of refinement in our own minds, or too high an opinion of the judgment of the public. He who is determined not to be satisfied with anything short of perfection will never do anything to please himself or others.

The measure of any man's virtue is what he would do, if he had neither the laws nor public opinion, nor even his own prejudices, to control him.

Those who speak ill of the spiritual life, although they come and go by day, are like the smith's bellows: they take breath but are not alive.

When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.

The objects that we have known in better days are the main props that sustain the weight of our affections, and give us strength to await our future lot.

Our friends are generally ready to do everything for us, except the very thing we wish them to do.

I have a much greater ambition to be the best racket player than the best prose writer.