When ambitious desires arise in thy heart, recall the days of extremity thou have passed through. Forbearance is the root read more

When ambitious desires arise in thy heart, recall the days of extremity thou have passed through. Forbearance is the root of all quietness and assurance forever.

We do not succeed in changing things according to our desire, but gradually our desire changes.

We do not succeed in changing things according to our desire, but gradually our desire changes.

You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration.

You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration.

Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?

Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?

Desire is the very essence of man.

Desire is the very essence of man.

A desire presupposes the possibility of action to achieve it; action presupposes a goal which is worth achieving.

A desire presupposes the possibility of action to achieve it; action presupposes a goal which is worth achieving.

We grow like flowers, and bear desire,
The odor of the human flowers.

We grow like flowers, and bear desire,
The odor of the human flowers.

We trifle when we assign limits to our desires, since nature hath set none.

We trifle when we assign limits to our desires, since nature hath set none.

Oh! could I throw aside these earthly bands
That tie me down where wretched mortals sigh--
To read more

Oh! could I throw aside these earthly bands
That tie me down where wretched mortals sigh--
To join blest spirits in celestial lands!