Books are the true metempsychosis,--they are the symbol and presage of immortality. The dead men are scattered, and none shall find them. Behold they are here! they do but sleep.

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.

I love lying here with you, under the books.

The city needs a car like a fish needs a bicycle.

My wife went off with Elvis.

Good is that which makes for unity. Evil is that which makes for separateness.

I have a black lab named Luke.

Reading is not an operation performed on something inert but a relationship entered into with another vital being.

You know you're a good leader when people follow you out of curiosity.

Everest you won't change, but I will get better...I will conquer you.

Always say some prayers at night because it might turn out that there is a God.

[Law] is one part justice to nine parts expediency. Who needs it.