“There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know.
“Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn
“In all ranks of life the human heart yearns for the beautiful; and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained
“Some people have a knack of putting upon you gifts of no real value, to engage you to substantial gratitude. We thank them for nothing