James Russell Lowell

“Reputation is only a candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit.”

“Let us be of good cheer, however, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.”

“The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere.”

“Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure to be unwise in statesmanship.”

“Good luck is the willing handmaid of a upright and energetic character, and conscientious observance of duty.”

“Poetry is something to make us wiser and better, by continually revealing those types of beauty and truth, which God has set in all men's souls.”

“The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weathers is that which is woven of conviction and set with the sharp mordant of experience.”

“Toward no crimes have men shown themselves so cold- bloodedly cruel as in punishing differences of belief.”

“What a sense of security in an old book which time has criticized for us.”

“Endurance is the crowning quality, And patience all the passion of great hearts.”

“There is nothing so desperately monotonous as the sea, and I no longer wonder at the cruelty of pirates.”

“Who's not sat tense before his own heart's curtain.”

“Death is delightful. Death is dawn, The waking from a weary night Of fevers unto truth and light.”

“If youth be a defect, it is one that we outgrow only too soon.”

“A weed is no more than a flower in disguise, Which is seen through at once, if love give a man eyes.”

“On one issue at least, men and women agree; they both distrust women.”

“To educate the intelligence is to expand the horizon of its wants and desires.”

“It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested.”

“As life runs on, the road grows strange with faces new - and near the end. The milestones into headstones change, Neath every one a friend.”

“Once to every person and nation come the moment to decide. In the conflict of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.”