Three forms of asceticism have existed in this weak world. Religious
asceticism, being the refusal of pleasure and knowledge for the sake--as
supposed--of religion; seen chiefly in the Middle Ages. Military
asceticism, being the refusal of pleasure and knowledge for the sake of
power; seen chiefly in the early days of Sparta and Rome. And monetary
asceticism, consisting in the refusal of pleasure and knowledge for the
sake of money; seen in the present days of London and
Manchester.--_Ruskin._
~Aspiration.~--The negro king desired to be portrayed as white. But do not
laugh at the poor African; for every man is but another negro king, and
would like to appear in a color different from that with which Fate has
bedaubed him.--_Heinrich Heine._
There is no sorrow I have thought more about than that--to love what is
great, and try to reach it, and yet to fail.--_George Eliot._
The heart is a small thing, but desireth great matters. It is not
sufficient for a kite's dinner, yet the whole world is not sufficient
for it.--_Quarles._
There must be something beyond man in this world. Even on attaining to
his highest possibilities, he is like a bird beating against his cage.
There is something beyond, O deathless soul, like a sea-shell, moaning
for the bosom of the ocean to which you belong!--_Chapin._
Oh for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of
invention! A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, and monarchs to behold
the swelling scene.--_Shakespeare._