The fickle person is he that does not know what is true or right absolutely, - who has not an ancient wisdom for a lifetime, but a new prudence for every hour. Let us know and conform only to the fashions of eternity. There is but one obligation, and that is the obligation to obey the highest dictate. The sublime sentences of Menu carry us back to a time when purification and sacrifice and self-devotion had a place in the faith of men, and were not as now superstition. They contain a subtle and refined philosophy also, such as in these times is not accompanied with so lofty and pure a devotion.
Nothing is as attractive and unceasingly curious as character.
There is no plant that needs such tender treatment, there is none that will endure so rough. It is the violet and the oak. It is the thing we mean, let us say what we will. I know of no redeeming qualities in me but a sincere love for some things, and when I am reproved I have to fall back on to this ground. This is my argument in reserve for all cases.