To be wholly devoted to some intellectual exercise is to have succeeded in life.

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.

I am in the habit of looking not so much to the nature of a gift as to the spirit in which it is offered.

Wine is bottled poetry.

Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.

It is not likely that posterity will fall in love with us, but not impossible that it may respect or sympathize so a man would rather leave behind him the portrait of his spirit than a portrait of his face.

Give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere. Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind, spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies.

That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.

If a man loves the labour of his trade, apart from any question of success or fame, the gods have called him.

Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.