God hath given to man a short time here upon earth, and yet upon this short time eternity depends.
Easiness of desire is a great enemy to the success of a good man’s prayer. It must be an intent, zealous, busy, operative prayer. For consider what a huge indecency it is that a man should speak to God for a thing that he values not. Our prayers upbraid our spirits when we beg tamely for those things for which we ought to die. Things which are more precious than Imperial Scepters, richer than the spoils of the sea or the treasures of the Indian hills.
What can be more foolish than to think that all this rare fabric of heaven and earth could come by chance, when all the skill of science is not able to make an oyster?
He, who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice.
God threatens terrible things, if we will not be happy [in Him] – [see Deut. 28:47-48]!
It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.
By friendship you mean the greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest truth, the heartiest counsel, and the greatest union of minds of which brave men and women are capable.