no hour arrives so soon as the one we dread.

Imagination is to love what gas is to the balloon-that which raises it from earth.

I think hearts are very much like glasses. If they do not break with the first ring, they usually last a considerable time.

Ah, tell me not that memory sheds gladness o'er the past, what is recalled by faded flowers, save that they did not last?

Social life is filled with doubts and vain aspirings; solitude, when the imagination is dethroned, is turned to weariness and ennui.

The heart's hushed secret in the soft dark eye.

Ah, tell me not that memory Sheds gladness o'er the past; What is recalled by faded flowers, Save that they did not last? Were it not better to forget, Than but remember and regret?

In sad truth, half our forebodings of our neighbors are but our own wishes, which we are ashamed to utter in any other form.

An apt quotation is like a lamp which flings its light over the whole sentence.

there is nothing so easy as to be wise for others; a species of prodigality, by-the-by - for such wisdom is wholly wasted.

Strange mystery of our nature, that those in whom genius develops itself in imagination, thus taking its most ethereal form, should yet be the most dependent on the opinions of others!

Everything around you that you call life was made up by people, and you can change it.

This is the most beautiful thing in The Shack story, that Jesus can be just a friend, someone who can carry you, and you can trust him. I like that.

Humility takes a supply of supernatural strength that comes only to those strong enough to admit weakness

There is a time you can't turn it back. When a person is very destructive, when they hate you tremendously, you have to disassociate with them.

Al Gore invented the Internet.

They think I'm too old to cause trouble. Old age is a powerful disguise.

I did gymnastics when I was growing up and to this day I can still do the splits.

The most painful thing in life is to wake up from a dream and find no way out. Dreamers are fortunate people. If no way out can be seen, the important thing is not to awaken the sleepers.

The U.S. cannot impose freedom, security, and unity in Iraq by force.

Family is more than DNA, more than who we used to be, more than we can imagine we will become.