A man with an invention on which he has spent his life, but has no means to get it developed for the good of humanity - or even patented for himself - must feel the pinch of poverty very acutely.

Nature of course is the best guide in the matter of choosing a pursuit.

To the truly benevolent mind, indeed, nothing is more satisfactory than to hear of a miser denying himself the necessaries of life a little too far and ridding us of his presence altogether.

In all highly civilised communities Pretence is prominent, and sooner or later invades the regions of Literature.

The idea of bringing young people up to Literature is doubtless calculated to raise the eyebrows almost as much as the suggestion of bringing them up to the Stage.

A nobler example, because a less personal one, of the pinch of poverty, is when it prevents the accomplishment of some cherished scheme for the benefit of the human race.

The fact is, if a young man is naturally indolent, the spur of necessity will drive him but a very little way, while the having enough to live upon is often the means of preserving his self-respect.

For my part, I do not much believe in the predilections of boyhood.

A great philosopher has stated that the worst evil of poverty is, that it makes folks ridiculous; by which, I hope, he only means that, as in the above case, it places them in incongruous positions.

I never had a piece of toast particularly long and wide, But fell upon the sanded floor, And always on the buttered side.

Some Critics on the Hearth are not only good-natured, but have rather too high, or, if that is impossible, let us say too pronounced, an opinion of the abilities of their literary friends.

Happiness consists in always aspiring perfection, the pause in any level in perfection is the pause of happiness

Ever since I could read, I’ve wanted to write a book. I never thought I had anything to write about. Maybe you don’t think this is worth writing about. But this book isn’t for you. It’s for me.

Eating connects us to our histories as much as it connects our souls to our bodies, our bodies to the earth.

Happy soul

It's madness, of course', thought Moist. 'But now I've got it, too.

I tell the stories that are of interest to me.

Peace with all the world is my sincere wish. I am sure it is our true policy, and am persuaded it is the ardent desire of the government.

Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise; In all His words most wonderful, Most sure in all His ways.

Writing is about a blank piece of paper and leaving out what’s not supposed to be there.

Great wisdom is generous; petty wisdom is contentious. Great speech is impassioned, small speech cantankerous.