The best security for civilization is the dwelling, and upon properly appointed and becoming dwellings depends, more than anything else, the improvement of mankind.

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.

The secret of success is constancy of purpose.

Cleanliness and order are not matters of instinct; they are matters of education, and like most great things, you must cultivate a taste for them.

Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think.

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.

Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.

One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.

Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.

Never complain and never explain.

Finality is not the language of politics.

when you do more than you learn, you leave a distinctive notable footprint on earth

Mothers care in volumes of tears and earnestness of prayers and a depth of emotion others cannot fathom.

The aristocracy had crumbled in her hands

I was writing poetry, and the Mountain Goats was an outgrowth of that.

I'll miss the comments from the people on the street who love the show and who have felt its impact on the culture. I won't miss the shooting schedule, though!

My back only bugs me when I sleep wrong. I feel my knee more than anything, the left one. It's arthritic.

I'm driving my old car until I'm on a first name basis with the low tow truck drivers!

In fact, if we cut 50 percent of the liver out, it'll be back in two weeks.

I've learned that one thing about my life that is certain is trouble.

Persevere and preserve yourselves for better circumstances.