Character, like porcelain-ware, must be painted before it is glazed. There can be no change of color after it is burned in.

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.

The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.

Some men are like pyramids, which are very broad where they touch the ground, but grow narrow as they reach the sky.

As for marigolds, poppies, hollyhocks, and valorous sunflowers, we shall never have a garden without them, both for their own sake, and for the sake of old-fashioned folks, who used to love them.

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.

The thistle is a prince. Let any man that has an eye for beauty take a view of the whole plant, and where will he see a more expressive grace and symmetry; and where is there a more kingly flower?

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.

He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has.

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.

Pure wisdom is the 'fruit of life' banal platitudes are the 'bane of existence'.

God has given you two ears--that should tell you something about the importance of listening.

I want to die like my grandfather died . . . peacefully in his sleep. Not like the other three people screaming in the car.

Women may fall when there's no strength in men.

What we think out for ourselves forms channels in which other thoughts will flow.

The idea of having new perspectives on our planet, and actually being able to get that message out, gets me out of bed every day with a spring in my step.

God shields the souls of the innocent the best He can from the Devil's torments.

What determines how much time and deliberate practice a child is willing to devote to achievement? Nothing less than her character.

Green exercise improves psychological health.

I don't think journalists should talk about whom they're voting for.