“At eighteen most people wish to please, and the conviction that they have not an exterior likely to second that desire brings anything but gratification.”

“It is of the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it.”

“People over forty can seldom be permanently convinced of anything. At eighteen our convictions are hills from which we look; at forty-five they are caves in which we hide.”

“It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior.”

“Most People have a desire to look for the exception instead of the desire to become exceptional. ”

“A sweet gum tree is the chameleon of wood, it’s corky exterior hiding it’s inner ability to imitate anything from cherry to mahogany. But it’s real value, one unrealized by most people, is it’s deep red heart, steady and strong.”