“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”

It does not so much matter what happens. It is what one does when it happens that really counts.

Everything from the little house was in the wagon, except the beds and tables and chairs. They did not need to take these, because Pa could always make new ones.

We had no choice. Sadness was a dangerous as panthers and bears. the wilderness needs your whole attention.

We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts and live our own lives in a way that is not possible for those keeping up with the crowd.

No rich man can walk through the eye of a needle.

We’d never get anything fixed to suit us if we waited for things to suit us before we started.

Did you ever think how a bit of land shows the character of the owner?

Let your joy scream across the pain.

You venture into the unknown land because that is where your heart will take you. In the end, it is not what you want to do, it is something you have to do.

Life begins at eighty.

A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.

The sweetness of life lies in usefulness, like honey deep in the heart of a clover bloom.

In order to thoroughly enjoy anything, one must feel the absence of it at times.

Let’s be cheerful! We have no more right to steal the brightness out of the day for our own family than we have to steal the purse of a stranger.

It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature.

Home is the nicest word there is.

A majority is always better than the best repartee.

I have reached a place in my life where I need to sit down and say, ‘Well, what do I do? What’s best for me?’ I need to look into options for the future.

I’m very competitive by nature. And I like to be the underdog – It’s the best way to win. To come from behind and win is a great feeling!

One of the best descriptions of the type of writer I am was given by Tom Paulin, who described himself as a ‘binge’ writer – like a binge drinker. I go on binges.

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.

I owe the best of myself to geology, but everything it has taught me tends to turn me away from dead things.

It’s a job to me, basically. I’m not trying to be the best fighter in the world or nothing like that. I don’t come in trying to think I am the best fighter. I don’t care about none of that. It’s just a job to me.

I think authenticity and being yourself is always, without a doubt, the best plan of action.