Independence is of more value than any gifts; and to receive gifts is to lose it.

A wise man among the ignorant is as a beautiful girl in the company of blind men.

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.

Whatever makes an impression on the heart seems lovely in the eye.

I fear God the most, but after Him, I fear those who don't fear Him.

You who feel no pain at the suffering of others It is not fitting for you to be called human.

When the belly is empty, the body becomes spirit; and when it is full, the spirit becomes body.

It's no virtue to gain the whole world. Just gain the heart of one person.

If a gem falls into mud it is still valuable. If dust ascends to heaven, it remains valueless.

The best loved by God are those that are rich, yet have the humility of the poor, and those that are poor and have the magnanimity of the rich.

Whoever acquires knowledge but does not practice it is as one who ploughs but does not sow.

Speaking from the heart is simple. Listening wholeheartedly, however, is much, much more difficult and most rare.

I have three phobias which, could I mute them, would make my life as slick as a sonnet, but as dull as ditch water: I hate to go to bed, I hate to get up, and I hate to be alone.

I'm very analytical, I'm very precise. I mean, I don't write for kids.

Those of us forged in the crucibles of difference know that survival is not an academic skill.

Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles.

I don't believe he had a responsibility to even answer that question - you have no responsibility to answer personal questions that people have no right to ask you.

There was never law, or sect, or opinion did so much magnify goodness, as the Christian religion doth.

You totally value and respect your body as you get older.

You can't leave a footprint that lasts if you're always walking on tiptoe.

Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.