Christian Nestell Bovee

There is great beauty in going through life without anxiety or fear. Half our fears are baseless, and the other half discreditable.

Living with a saint is more grueling than being one.

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.

Courage enlarges, cowardice diminishes resources. In desperate straits the fears of the timid aggravate the dangers that imperil the brave.

Partial culture runs to the ornate, extreme culture to simplicity.

Next to being witty, the best thing is being able to quote another's wit.

Genius makes its observations in short-hand; talent writes them out at length.

A sound discretion is not so much indicated by never making a mistake as by never repeating it.

No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities.

Tranquil pleasures last the longest; we are not fitted to bear the burden of great joys.

Many children, many cares; no children, no felicity.

They are the weakest, however strong, who have no faith in themselves or their own powers.