Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down read more

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.

People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Negation is the mind's first freedom, yet a negative habit is fruitful only so long as we exert ourselves to read more

Negation is the mind's first freedom, yet a negative habit is fruitful only so long as we exert ourselves to overcome it, adapt it to our needs; once acquired it can imprison us.

I've been in a lot of trouble and come out of it. I think it shows a lot of good read more

I've been in a lot of trouble and come out of it. I think it shows a lot of good character.

What a man is ashamed of is always at bottom himself; and he is ashamed of himself at bottom always read more

What a man is ashamed of is always at bottom himself; and he is ashamed of himself at bottom always for being afraid.

I have no regrets because I know I did my best -- all I could do.

I have no regrets because I know I did my best -- all I could do.

People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.

People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.

I do not want a plain box, I want a sarcophagus
With tigery stripes, and a face on it
Round read more

I do not want a plain box, I want a sarcophagus
With tigery stripes, and a face on it
Round as the moon, to stare up.
I want to be looking at them when they come
Picking among the dumb minerals, the roots.
I see them already-the pale, star-distance faces.
Now they are nothing, they are not even babies.
I imagine them without fathers or mothers, like the first gods.
They will wonder if I was important.

Where the mind is past hope, the heart is past shame.

Where the mind is past hope, the heart is past shame.