“I have a great notion of being the master of my own happiness, and not suffering it to be contingent on the manners and conduct of other people.” Asserting personal responsibility for one's own serenity · Letter, 1885 Happiness Independence Self Control
“I grow old naturally, comfortably, easily, and with assent and consent. It is the strugglers, the rebels, the miserables who can do nothing generously, that spoil themselves.” Embracing age with equanimity rather than resistance · Letter to A. M. Worthington, 1895 Acceptance Age Contentment
“I am certain God made fools for us to enjoy, but there must be an economy of joy in the presence of a fool: you must not betray your enjoyment.” A wry counsel on polite restraint when faced with folly · Reported from a lecture on Manners (via Archdeacon Wilson) Folly Humour Manners
