Swift-willed is thrice willed; late means nevermore;
Impatient is her foot, nor turns again.
—James Russell Lowell.
To live content with small means—to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy not respectable, and wealthy not rich—to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart—to bear all cheerfully—do all bravely, await occasions—never hurry; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
—William Ellery Channing.
Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as faithfully as if we stood in the front rank of some great battle, and we knew that victory for mankind depended on our bravery, strength, and skill. When we do that, the humblest of us will be serving in that great army which achieves the welfare of the world.
—Theodore Parker.
Opportunities correspond with almost mathematical accuracy to the ability for using them.
—Lilian Whiting.
The blessedness of life depends more upon its interests than upon its comforts.