Love, like virtue, is not only its own reward, but sometimes entitles us to other rewards—energy and motion are made visible—memories are held in space. I feel nearer, more part of life. My movements, slow at first, gradually become faster and more dancelike. I was in the middle [of love] before I knew what I had begun. We are witness here to nature in the process of giving way to the forces of civilization. Any time, and under any circumstances of human interest, is it not strange to see how little real hold the objects of the natural World can gain on our hearts and minds?

What a god is memory, to keep in life—to endow with an unslumbering vitality beyond that of our own nature—its unconscious company—the things that seem only born for its enjoyment. A single deed of violence and cruelty affects our nerves more than when these are exercised on a more extended scale.  There are times when, the elements being in unusual commotion, those who are bent on daring enterprises, or agitated by great thoughts, whether of good or evil, feel a mysterious sympathy with the tumult of nature, and are roused into corresponding violence.

When a general must regulate himself by the motions of a watchful adversary, how can he say beforehand what he will, or what he will not do? Struggles with the natural character, the strong native bent of the heart, may seem futile and fruitless, but in the end they do good. They tend, however slightly, to give the actions, the conduct, that turn which Reason approves, and which Feeling, perhaps, too often opposes: they certainly make a difference in the general tenor of life, and enable it to be better regulated, more equable, quieter on the surface; and it is on the surface only the common gage will fall. As to what lies below, leave that with God.

It is the secret of good taste and perfection in behavior to conceal that you every think of it at all. So it is the most perfect proof of a good style, that when you read the composition, you think of nothing but these sense; and are never struck with the idea that it is otherwise expressed than everybody would express it. It requires much personal strength, standing alone against the well-armed batteries of all one’s friends. Strength indicated a boundless nature—like the Maker. Strength is a God to you: Purity a virtue.

There are some things that can beat smartness and foresight. Awkwardness and stupidity can. The best swordsman in the World does not need to fear the second best swordsman in the World; no, the person for him to be afraid of is some ignorant antagonist who has never had a sword in his hand before; he does not do the thing he ought to do, and so the expert is not prepared for him; he does the thing he ought not to do; and often it catches the expert out and ends him on the spot. For God’s sake, be economical with your lamps and candles! Not a gallon you burn, but at least one drop of man’s blood was spilled for it.

We that fight the living World must have the Universal for succor of truth in it. Cast forth the heart in prayer, you meet the effluence of the outer truth, you join with the creative elements giving breath to you. The figures have to have vitality but not be in motion. They have to be animated with some force, with some energy. That is what prayer does. Prayer has the energy. Prayer draws us near to our own hearts, and purifies our thoughts. We draw one breath; we live for life. Ceased to be astonished, and only learn to love—an important lesson.