From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not read more

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.

Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.

Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [Hebrews 11:1].

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [Hebrews 11:1].

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is read more

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is usually embraced with vehemence and extremism, for we have to convince ourselves that what we took as second choice is the best there ever was. Thus blind faith is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves; insatiable desire a substitute for hope; accumulation a substitute for growth; fervent hustling a substitute for purposeful action; and pride a substitute for an unattainable self-respect.

If you think practicing what you preach is rough, just try preaching what you practice.

If you think practicing what you preach is rough, just try preaching what you practice.

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store read more

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.

If there were a verb meaning "to believe falsely," it would not have any significant first person, present indicative.

If there were a verb meaning "to believe falsely," it would not have any significant first person, present indicative.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things read more

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made... [Romans 1:20].

When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent read more

When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent its leaking out at a certain point, with the likely result that it will leak out at some other point. Thus by denigrating prevailing beliefs and loyalties, the militant man of words unwittingly creates in the disillusioned masses a hunger for faith. For the majority of people cannot endure the barrenness and futility of their lives unless they have some ardent dedication, or some passionate pursuit in which they can lose themselves. Thus, in spite of himself, the scoffing man of words becomes the precursor of a new faith.