Four men are missing; R., Sorel and two emigrants. They set out this morning after buffalo, and have not yet made their appearance; whether killed or lost, we cannot tell.

Fort Leavenworth is in fact no fort, being without defensive works, except two block-houses.

Not a breath of air stirred over the free and open prairie; the clouds were like light piles of cotton; and where the blue sky was visible, it wore a hazy and languid aspect.

Versailles was a gulf into which the labor of France poured its earnings; and it was never full.

It was a rich and gorgeous sunset - an American sunset; and the ruddy glow of the sky was reflected from some extensive pools of water among the shadowy copses in the meadow below.

Spanish civilization crushed the Indian. English civilization scorned and neglected him. French civilization embraced and cherished him.

America was still a land of wonder. The ancient spell still hung unbroken over the wild, vast world of mystery beyond the sea,-a land of romance, adventure, and gold.

We were in all four men with eight animals; for besides the spare horses led by Shaw and myself, an additional mule was driven along with us as a reserve in case of accident.

America, when it became known to Europeans, was, as it had long been, a scene of wide-spread revolution.

Humanity, morality, decency, might be forgotten, but codfish must still be had for the use of the faithful in Lent and on fast days.

The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought to issue on this continent was: Shall France remain here, or shall she not?

We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter.

But I will finally be with Jesus. That is my one consolation, and it is enough to make death almost no worry at all.

Ask others what they think of your ideas and plans – Now, this one is the most interesting way of failing.

Be patient, persistent and above all, believe.

Failure is simply the non-presence of success. But a fiasco is a disaster of mythic proportions.

James Lipton: The most pompous arrogant failure in history.

Christ can come back at any time so the one thing you want to have in your life is a focused prayer time.

Human thinking depends on metaphor. We understand new and complex things in relation to the things we already know... once you pick a metaphor it will guide your thinking.

I have seldom seen much ostentation and much learning met together. The sun, rising and declining, makes long shadows; at mid day, when he is highest, none at all.

The hats were nearly all as though made by somebody who had once heard about flowers but never seen one huge muffs of horror.