One can acquire everything in solitude except character.

One can acquire everything in solitude except character.

Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves, and good fortune to others.

Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves, and good fortune to others.

Commemoration of Phillips Brooks, Bishop of Massachusetts, spiritual writer, 1893 In prayer we express deep penitence and contrition read more

Commemoration of Phillips Brooks, Bishop of Massachusetts, spiritual writer, 1893 In prayer we express deep penitence and contrition for our shortcomings, using sorrowful and self-accusing words. And this often in all sincerity. But, at other times, we are not really much disturbed about it; or, at least, not nearly so much as our heaped-up language would imply. What we imagine that we are achieving through this unreality I do not know. We shall not fool the All-wise; nor induce Him to believe that we are anything other, or better, than we actually are! Were it not saner to tell Him the truth, exactly as it is -- not that we are overwhelmed with sorrow for our sinfulness, if it is not so; but rather this, that, to all our other sinfulness, we have added this last and crowning sinfulness, that we are not much worried about it, or, at least, not nearly as much as we ought to be. Be pleased, in pity, to grant us such measure of sorrow for our failures as will lead us to a true repentance; and, through that, to a new way of life.

All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.

All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.

It's about stuff that first makes people laugh, and then makes them think. What they think is up to them.

It's about stuff that first makes people laugh, and then makes them think. What they think is up to them.