By reading a man does, as it were, antedate his life, and make himself contemporary with the ages past; and this way of running up beyond one's nativity is better than Plato's pre-existence.

People's opinions of themselves are legible in their countenances.

As the language of the face is universal, so 'tis very comprehensive; no laconism can reach it: 'Tis the short hand of the mind, and crowds a great deal in a little room

Everyone has a fair turn to be as great as he pleases.

Fortitude implies a firmness and strength of mind, that enables us to do and suffer as we ought. It rises upon an opposition, and, like a river, swells the higher for having its course stopped.

Passing too eagerly upon a provocation loses the guard and lays open the body; calmness and leisure and deliberation do the business much better.

Atheism is the result of ignorance and pride; of strong sense and feeble reasons; of good eating and ill-living. It is the plague of society, the corrupter of manners, and the underminer of property.

A man may as well expect to grow stronger by always eating as wiser by always reading.

Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God's will.

Books support us in our solitude and keep us from being a burden to ourselves.

Envy, like a cold prison, benumbs and stupefies; and, conscious of its own impotence, folds its arms in despair.

Do whatever you do intensely.

Of course one kiss changes things. If it's done right, a kiss changes everything.

Step by step, let whatever happens happen. Real change will come when it is brought about, not by your ego, but by reality. Awareness releases reality to change you.

Now c'mon - if we die, we die cool.

Standing up for what's right is a huge burden to bear. It's normal to have some doubt.

We shall never be fit for the service of God, if we look not beyond this fleeting life.

I lived in a tiny Midwest town, so I was always looking for adventure.

Into my heart's treasury I slipped a coin That Time cannot take Nor a thief purloin- O better than the minting Of a gold-crowned king Is the safe-kept memory Of a lovely thing.

A president should take action to defend the United States against eminent threat. You have to. The president has to do that.

He who is good is happy.