Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and knowledge are not infused into us from without.

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace, and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty.

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.

I'm a writer, and I will write what I want to write.

Let us remind ourselves that it is ordinary people – men and women, boys and girls – that make the world a special place.

Surely what a man does when he is in an uncomfortable situation is the best evidence for the sort of man he is.

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.

How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?

If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

If you compromise your own conscience, you will weaken your conscience. Soon your conscience will fail to guide you and you never will have real wealth based on peace of mind.

The true worth is not to be found in man himself, but in the colors and texture that come alive in others.

You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, buy you will never imprison my mind.

We can secure other people’s approval, if we do right and try hard; but our own is worth a hundred of it, and no way has been found out of securing that.

No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.

A friend is as it were a second self.