“I felt an earnest and humble desire, and shall do till I die, to increase the stock of harmless cheerfulness.”

Describing cheerfulness as one of the lasting purposes of his work · Speech, Edinburgh, 25 June 1841

• Art
• Hope
• Joy

“Try to do to others, as you would have them do to you, and do not be discouraged if they fail sometimes.”

Urging kindness without making it dependent on reciprocity · Letter to Edward Bulwer Lytton Dickens, 1868

• Friendship
• Hope

“Any heart which could really toughen its affections and sympathies against those dear little people must be wanting in so many humanising experiences of innocence and tenderness.”

Arguing that tenderness towards children is central to humane feeling · Speech, Hospital for Sick Children, London, 9 February 1858

• Childhood
• Love