“Publish not men’s secret faults, for by disgracing them you make yourself of no repute.”

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.

Be not in the desire of thine own ease.

The stranger has no friend, unless it be a stranger.

Expose not the secret failings of mankind, otherwise you must verily bring scandal upon them and distrust upon yourself.

A tree, freshly rooted, may be pulled up by one man on his own. Give it time, and it will not be moved, even with a crane.

He who lives upon the fruit of his own labor, escapes the contempt of haughty benefactors.

People are crying up the rich and variegated plumage of the peacock, and he is himself blushing at the sight of his ugly feet.

Whatever makes an impression on the heart seems lovely in the eye.

A friend whom you have been gaining during your whole life, you ought not to be displeased with in a moment. A stone is many years becoming a ruby – take care that you do not destroy it in an instant against another stone.

When a mean wretch cannot vie with another in virtue, out of his wickedness he begins to slander. The abject envious wretch will slander the virtuous man when absent, but when brought face to face his loquacious tongue becomes dumb.

It is better to break off a thousand friendships, than to endure the sight of a single enemy.

A man of virtue, judgment, and prudence speaks not until there is silence.

Whoever recounts to you the faults of your neighbour will doubtless expose your defects to others.

No person learned the art of archery from me, who did not in the end make me his target.

To pardon the oppressor is to deal harshly with the oppressed.

If a gem falls into mud it is still valuable. If dust ascends to heaven, it remains valueless.

To be Christians under the law of grace does not mean to wander unbridled outside the law, but to be engrafted in Christ, by whose grace we are free from the curse of the law, and by whose Spirit we have the law engraved upon our hearts.

The difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast.

God has enough grace to solve every dilemma you face, wipe every tear you cry, and answer every question you ask.

Joy is a quiet gladness of heart as one contemplates the goodness of God’s saving grace in Christ Jesus.

One is not righteous who does much, but the one who, without work, believes much in Christ. The law says, ‘Do this,’ and it is never done. Grace says, ‘Believe in this,’ and everything is already done.

Imagination, devotion, perseverance, together with divine grace, will assure your success.

A purely materialistic art would be like a tree which is expected to bear fruit without flowering and to sacrifice grace and beauty for mere utility.

The amazing thing about love and attention and encouragement and grace and success and joy is that these things are infinite. We get a new supply every single morning, and so we can give it away all day. We never, ever have to monitor the supply of others or grab or hoard.