Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.

You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!

To those who are given much, much is expected.

I thought if I could face the worst danger voluntarily, and triumph, I would forever have power over it.

I am a child of God. I always carry that with me.

I know why the caged bird sings.

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

Today is a king in disguise.

All men plume themselves on the improvement of society, and no man improves.

God enters by a private door into every individual.

At times the whole world seems to be in conspiracy to importune you with emphatic trifles. Friend, client, child, sickness, fear, want, charity, all knock at once at thy closet door and say,—’Come out unto us.’ But keep thy state; come not into their confusion.

In general, every evil to which we do not succumb is a benefactor. 

When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers.

Discontent is the want of self-reliance: it is infirmity of will.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism. […] It speaks the truth, and it is just, generous, hospitable, temperate, scornful of petty calculations, and scornful of being scorned.

On Henry David Thoreau: He chose to be rich by making his wants few, and supplying them himself.

Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait.

Beauty rests on necessities. The line of beauty is the result of perfect economy.

We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end. […] It is the most enduring quality, and the most ascending quality.

On stars: Every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile.

We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.

The moral sense reappears today with the same morning newness that has been from of old the fountain of beauty and strength.

Let him go where he will, he can only find so much beauty or worth as he carries.