"Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts. Dye it then with a continuous series of such thoughts as these: for instance, that where a man can live, there he can also live well. But he must live in a palace;—well then, he can also live well in a palace."

Marcus Aurelius.

"Of nothing can we be more sure than this: that, if we cannot sanctify our present lot, we could sanctify no other."

Martineau.

Circumstances

JANUARY 13

"Occasion is the father of most that is good in us. As you have seen the awkward fingers and clumsy tools of a prisoner cut and fashion the most delicate little pieces of carved work; or achieve the most prodigious underground labours, and cut through walls of masonry, and saw iron bars and fetters; 'tis misfortune that awakens ingenuity, or fortitude or endurance, in hearts where these qualities had never come to life but for the circumstance which gave them a being."

Esmond, W. M. Thackeray.

"It always remains true that if we had been greater, circumstances would have been less strong against us."

G. Eliot.