My books are my tools, and the greater their variety and perfection the greater the help to my literary work.

Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past.

Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven.

Some so speak in exaggerations and superlatives that we need to make a large discount from their statements before we can come at their real meaning.

Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument; not being founded in reason they cannot be destroyed by logic.

We never reach our ideals, whether of mental or moral improvement, but the thought of them shows us our deficiencies, and spurs us on to higher and better things.

If you would thoroughly know anything, teach it to others.

Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads on to actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.

Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so.

Some of the best lessons we ever learn we learn from our mistakes and failures. — The error of the past is the wisdom and success of the future.

True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us.

The was something very satisfying about a smile that had to be earned.

Despair dragged at me like an anchor, pulling me down. I closed my eyes and retreated to some dim place within, where there was nothing but an aching grey blankness…

To endure is the first thing that a child ought to learn, and that which he will have the most need to know.

It's easier to be creative if you've got other people to play with.

The redundant locks, robustious to no purpose, clustering down--vast monument of strength.

Genres are just bottles for the various boats. The boats matter to me.

Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life.

I learned that kids in show business are so different from regular, average students. They would gather behind you and help you to succeed in any way possible.

Exposing something that's painful or raw or not so pleasant. That seems to be the dramatic motor of documentaries, exposure.

Victory is only wrested by running risks.