The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weathers is that which is woven of conviction and set with the sharp mordant of experience.~ James Russell Lowell
Greatly begin. Though thou have time, but for a line, be that sublime . Not failure, but low aim is crime.~ James Russell Lowell
Solitude is as needed to the imagination as society is wholesome to the character.~ James Russell Lowell
Sentiment is intellectualized emotion; emotion precipitated, as it were, in pretty crystals by the fancy.~ James Russell Lowell
Truth, after all, wears a different face to everybody, and it would be too tedious to wait till all were agreed.~ James Russell Lowell
Learning is acquired by reading books, but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various facets of them.~ Lord Chesterfield
Prepare yourself for the world, as the athletes used to do for their exercise; oil your mind and your manners, to give them the necessary suppleness and flexibility; strength alone will not do.~ Lord Chesterfield
Manners must adorn knowledge, and smooth its way through the world. ~ Lord Chesterfield
Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with. Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket: and do not merely pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.~ Lord Chesterfield