“We may see the small value God has for riches, by the people he gives them to.”

Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing.

Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.

To err is human; to forgive, divine.

Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain; awake but one, and in, what myriads rise!

Who dare to love their country, and be poor.

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

What is it to be wise? ‘Tis but to know how little can be known, To see all others’ faults, and feel our own.

Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

The greatest magnifying glasses in the world are a man’s own eyes when they look upon his own person.

An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie; for an excuse is a lie guarded.

Beauty draws us with a single hair.

Passions are the gales of life.

To swear is neither brave, polite, nor wise.

Words are like Leaves; and where they most abound, Much Fruit of Sense beneath is rarely found.

As with narrow-necked bottles; the less they have in them, the more noise they make in pouring out.

There is but one way I know of conversing safely with all men; that is, not by concealing what we say or do, but by saying or doing nothing that deserves to be concealed.

Do not surrender your grief so quickly Let it cut more deeply Let it ferment and season you As few human or divine ingredients can Something is missing in my heart tonight That has made my eyes so soft And my voice so tender And my need of God so absolutely clear.

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.

In knowing God, each of us also knows himself.

Better and safer is an assured peace than a victory hoped for. The one is in your own power, the other is in the hands of the gods.

I know it’s an experience that I need to have if God’s putting me through it.

I only answer to two people, myself and God.

When you know yourself, your ‘I’ness vanishes and you know that you and Allah are one and the same.

You have to consider the possibility that God does not like you.