Christian Nestell Bovee Quotes

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and insensibly approximate to the characters we most admire. In this way, a generous habit of thought and of action carries with it an incalculable influence.

At all events, the next best thing to being witty one's self, is to be able to quote another's wit.

There is, indeed, no wild beast more to be dreaded than a communicative man having nothing to communicate.

Patience is only one faculty; earnestness the devotion of all the faculties. Earnestness is the cause of patience; it gives endurance, overcomes pain, strengthens weakness, braves dangers, sustains hope, makes light of difficulties, and lessens the sense of weariness in overcoming them.

Loss of sincerity is loss of vital power.

What a man knows should find its expression in what he does. The value of superior knowledge is chiefly in that it leads to a performing manhood.