~ Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers. ~

~ In seeking wisdom, the first step is silence, the second listening, the third remembering, the fouth practicing, the fifth teaching others. ~

~ Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. ~

~ No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made. Destiny is made known silently. ~

~ When the eagles are silent the parrots begin to jabber. ~

~ Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. ~

~ Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. ~

~ Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which, if you sit down quietyly, may alight upon you. ~

~ I have learned silence from the talkative; tolerance from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to those teachers. ~

~ The cruelest lies are often told in silence. ~

~ The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. ~

~ The good and the wise lead quiet lives. ~

~ Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. ~

~ To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. ~

~ Under this tree, where light and shade speckle the grass like a Thrush's breast, here in this green and quiet place I give myself to peace and rest. The peace of my contented mind, that is to me a wealth untold when the Moon has no more silver left, and the Sun's at the end of his gold. ~