The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water
flowing hidden underground, secretly making read more

The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water
flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.

He who influences the thoughts of his times, influences all the times that follow. He has made his impress on read more

He who influences the thoughts of his times, influences all the times that follow. He has made his impress on eternity.

Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; they are like the
deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
read more

Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; they are like the
deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never
so wisely.

Ah, who could have ever foretold that that little retrousse nose
would change the laws of an empire.
read more

Ah, who could have ever foretold that that little retrousse nose
would change the laws of an empire.
[Fr., Ah, qui jamais autoir pu dire
Que ce petit nez retrousse
Changerait les lois d'un empire.]

Influencing people is dangerous. Their acts and thoughts become your illegitimate children. You can't get away from them and Heaven read more

Influencing people is dangerous. Their acts and thoughts become your illegitimate children. You can't get away from them and Heaven knows what they mayn't grow up into.

People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced
by doctrines of righteousness.

People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced
by doctrines of righteousness.

Our life's a flying shadow, God the pole,
The needle pointing to Him is our soul.

Our life's a flying shadow, God the pole,
The needle pointing to Him is our soul.

There is no such thing as a good influence. Because to influence a person is to give him one's own read more

There is no such thing as a good influence. Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions. His virtures are not real to him. His sins, if there are such thing as sins, are borrowed. He becomes an echo of someone else's music, an actor of a part that has not been written for him.

We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other read more

We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.