We smile at the ignorance of the savage who cuts down the tree in order to reach its fruit; but the same blunder is made by every person who is over eager and impatient in the pursuit of pleasure.
But the ground of a man’s culture lies in his nature, not in his calling. His powers are to be unfolded on account of their inherent dignity, not their outward direction. He is to be educated, because he is a man, not because he is to make shoes, nail, or pins.
Our affections are our life. We live by them; they supply our warmth.
The hills are reared, the seas are scooped in vain If learning’s altar vanish from the plain.
The worst tyrants are those which establish themselves in our own breasts.
Books are true levelers. They give to all, who will faithfully use them, the society, the spiritual presence, of the best and greatest of our race.
A man might pass for insane who should see things as they are.
Let us aspire towards this living confidence, that it is the will of God to unfold and exalt without end the spirit that entrusts itself to Him in well-doing as to a faithful Creator.
The reveries of youth, in which so much energy is wasted, are the yearnings of a Spirit made for what it has not found but must forever seek as an Ideal.
Life has a higher end, than to be amused.
Grandeur of character lies wholly in force of soul, that is, in the force of thought, moral principle, and love, and this may be found in the humblest condition of life.
A man in earnest finds means or, if he cannot find, creates them.
True love is the parent of humility...
It has often been observed, that those who have the most time at their disposal profit by it the least. A single hour a day, steadily given to the study of some interesting subject, brings unexpected accumulations of knowledge.
It is chiefly through books that we enjoy the intercourse with superior minds...
Do anything rather than give yourself to reverie.
Great effort from great motives is the best definition of a happy life.
The great hope of society is in individual character.
Most joyful let the Poet be, it is through him that all men see.
Whatever you may suffer, speak the truth. Be worthy of the entire confidence of your associates. Consider what is right as to what must be done. It is not necessary that you should keep your property, or even your life, but it is necessary that you should hold fast your integrity.
We must not waste life in devising means. It is better to plan less and do more.