Leaves are light, and useless, and idle, and wavering, and changeable; they even dance; and yet God in his wisdom has made them a part of oaks. And in so doing he has given us a lesson, not to deny the stout-heartedness within because we see the lightsomeness without. – Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. – W. Somerset Maugham, The Summing Up, 1938

Sandwich every bit of criticism between two thick layers of praise. – Mary Kay Ash