If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. – George MacDonald
Age is not all decay it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk. – George MacDonald
The best preparation for the future is the present well seen to, and the last duty done. – George MacDonald
When we are out of sympathy with the young, then I think our work in this world is over. – George MacDonald
But further, in order to embellish it with flowers of language and gems of thought, it is not necessary for this ornamentation to be spread evenly over the entire speech, but it must be so distributed that there may be brilliant jewels placed at various points as a sort of decoration. – Cicero, De oratore