Hearts are like flowers:  they remain open to the softly-falling dew, but shut up in the violent downpour of rain, 

Cultivate the great art of leaving people alone, even those you think you have a right to direct in the minutest particular.

Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.

Think of all the rare materials that are ready to our hand, the possibilities of loving service, the priceless memories that we have garnered, the constant perception of beauties in the characters of others…..

 If we open our eyes and see, nothing is really wanting, except the resolve to build. 

Between the great things that we cannot do, and the small things we will not do, the danger is that we shall do nothing.

…many people had no criterion of values; they filled their lives with petty engagements, and smilingly lamented that they had no time to think or read.

Those men and women who see no visions and have not perception of that which is invisible, but keep their eyes steadfastly fixed on things too small to be considered at all, magnify trifles till their spiritual microscope transforms a midge into a monster, and a drop of rain into a regular witch’s cauldron.

My beloved brethren, if we saw ourselves as God sees us, we should be willing to be anywhere, to be silent when others speak, to be passed by in the world’s crowd, and thrust aside to make way for others.