Talking of one’s own ails and grievances. – Bad enough, but not so bad as insulting the person you talk with by remarking on his ill-looks, or appearing to notice any of his personal peculiarities.

There are many forces that imperil self-respect;  it is undermined by sin, it is mocked and threatened by temptation, it is discouraged by the experience of failure;  only the grace of God, forgiving and renewing us, suffices wholly to repair and reinvigorate it.  

Kindness has converted more sinners than either zeal, eloquence, or learning;  and these three never converted any one, unless they were kind also.

Judge nothing before the time.   Till you know all, you are not fit to judge.

It is not for us men to apportion the shares of moral guilt and retribution.

Just judgment must then be slow, and one mark of unjust judgment is its haste.

Opinion is the prerogative of man;  judgment is the prerogative of God. 

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.