Despondency is ingratitude; hope is God's worship.

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.

Never give your opinion on someone's writing unless they ask sincerely, and never ask for someone's opinion unless you're sincere.

Good fortune is a god among men, and more than a god.

A strong theme is always running through a well-told story.

Three components make an entrepreneur: the person, the idea and the resources to make it happen.

Even the bad books I write are satisfying. I'm my least critical reader.

When you're busy doing your own stuff it's like running a race. You try not to look over your shoulder to see who else is in the race, you do the best you can.

It was a fine cancer experience, as cancer experiences go.

'Dirt Road Diaries,' in my mind, is a perfect country guy song. It speaks to the hard-working guy, and I'm excited for the fans to hear that one.

If I feel confident wearing something, I think it translates in photographs. It changes my demeanor and posture.

Failure is inevitable. Success is elusive.