True happiness is to understand our duties toward God and man; to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence on the read more

True happiness is to understand our duties toward God and man; to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence on the future; not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears, but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is abundantly sufficient

The primal duties shine aloft, like stars;
The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless
Are scattered read more

The primal duties shine aloft, like stars;
The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless
Are scattered at the feet of Man, like flowers.

But what is your duty? What the day demands.
[Ger., Was aber ist deine Pflicht? Die Forderung des Tages.]

But what is your duty? What the day demands.
[Ger., Was aber ist deine Pflicht? Die Forderung des Tages.]

Alas! when duty grows thy law, enjoyment fades away.

Alas! when duty grows thy law, enjoyment fades away.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent read more

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men

It is the duty of children to wait on elders, and not the elders on children

It is the duty of children to wait on elders, and not the elders on children

Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles, and kindnesses, and read more

Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles, and kindnesses, and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort

Straight is the line of duty;
Curved is the line of beauty;
Follow the straight line, thou read more

Straight is the line of duty;
Curved is the line of beauty;
Follow the straight line, thou shalt see
The curved line ever follow thee.

It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, read more

It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.