So well she acted all and every part
By turns--with that vivacious versatility,
Which many people take read more

So well she acted all and every part
By turns--with that vivacious versatility,
Which many people take for want of heart.
They err--'tis merely what is call'd mobility,
A thing of temperament and not of art,
Though seeming so, from its supposed facility;
And false--though true; for surely they're sincerest
Who are strongly acted on by what is nearest.

Man's character is his fate.

Man's character is his fate.

Your father used to come home to my mother, and why may not I be
a chippe of the read more

Your father used to come home to my mother, and why may not I be
a chippe of the same block out of which you two were cutte?

Many men build as cathedrals were built, the part nearest the
ground finished; but that part which soars toward read more

Many men build as cathedrals were built, the part nearest the
ground finished; but that part which soars toward heaven, the
turrets and the spires, forever incomplete.

From their folded mates they wander far,
Their ways seem harsh and wild:
They follow the beck read more

From their folded mates they wander far,
Their ways seem harsh and wild:
They follow the beck of a baleful star,
Their paths are dream-beguiled.

What you are thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.

What you are thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.

Character is a victory, not a gift.

Character is a victory, not a gift.

You can measure a man by the opposition it takes to discourage him.

You can measure a man by the opposition it takes to discourage him.

Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil read more

Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.