Small minds are subdued by misfortunes, greater minds overcome them. Washington Irving More Quotes by Washington Irving More Quotes From Washington Irving Her mighty lakes, like oceans of liquid silver; her mountains with their right aerial tints; her valleys, teeming with wild fertility; her tremendous cataracts, thundering in their solitudes; her boundless plains, waving with spontaneous verdure; her brought deep rivers, rolling in solemn silence to the ocean; her trackless forests, where vegetation puts forth all its magnificence; her skies, kindling waves in the magic of the summer clouds and glorious sunshine;-no, never need an American look beyond his own country for the sublime and beautiful of natural scenery. Washington Irving summer beautiful country There is something nobly simple and pure in a taste for the cultivation of forest trees. Washington Irving taste simple tree Nature seems to delight in disappointing the assuduities of art, with which it would rear dulness to maturity, and to glory in the vigor and luxuriance of her chance productions. She scatters the seeds of genius to the winds, and though some may perish among the stony places of the world, and some may be choked by the thorns and brambles of early adversity, yet others will now and then strike root even in the clefts of the rock, struggle bravely up into sunshine, and spread over their sterile birthplace all the beauties of vegetation. Washington Irving adversity struggle art The dullest observer must be sensible of the order and serenity prevalent in those households where the occasional exercise of a beautiful form of worship in the morning gives, as it were, the keynote to every temper for the day, and attunes every spirit to harmony. Washington Irving exercise morning beautiful He who thinks much says but little in proportion to his thoughts. He selects that language which will convey his ideas in the most explicit and direct manner. Washington Irving silence ideas thinking It is almost startling to hear this warning of departed time sounding among the tombs, and telling the lapse of the hour, which, like a billow, has rolled us onward towards the grave. Washington Irving lapses departed warning The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated, except by those whose feelings are withered by vitiated society. Holy, simple, and beautiful in its construction, it is the emblem of all we can imagine of fidelity and truth. Washington Irving mother beautiful children It lightens the stroke to draw near to Him who handles the rod. Washington Irving strokes draws prayer Redundancy of language is never found with deep reflection. Verbiage may indicate observation, but not thinking. He who thinks much says but little in proportion to his thoughts. Washington Irving style reflection thinking There is a majestic grandeur in tranquillity. Washington Irving tranquility grandeur majestic It was Shakespeare's notion that on this day birds begin to couple; hence probably arose the custom of sending fancy love-billets. Washington Irving fancy couple bird Washington, in fact, had very little private life, but was eminently a public character. Washington Irving littles character facts Nothing can be more touching than to behold a soft and tender female, who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every trivial roughness while treading the prosperous paths of life, suddenly rising in mental force to be the comforter and supporter of her husband under misfortune, and abiding with unshrinking firmness the bitterest blast of adversity. Washington Irving adversity wife husband Too young for woe, though not for tears. Washington Irving woe youth tears A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. Washington Irving anger age birthday A woman is more considerate in affairs of love than a man; because love is more the study and business of her life. Washington Irving study love men It is worthy to note, that the early popularity of Washington was not the result of brilliant achievement nor signal success; on the contrary, it rose among trials and reverses, and may almost be said to have been the fruit of defeat. Washington Irving achievement trials rose With every exertion, the best of men can do but a moderate amount of good; but it seems in the power of the most contemptible individual to do incalculable mischief. Washington Irving individual evil men I am always at a loss to know how much to believe of my own stories. Washington Irving A woman's life is a history of the affections. Washington Irving