Art is based on a strong sentiment of religion, - on a profound and mighty earnestness; hence it is so prone to co-operate with religion. [ Goethe ]

Lenity will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigour. It is, therefore, my first wish to have my whole conduct distinguished by it. [ G. Washington ]

Good-humor will sometimes conquer ill-humor, but ill-humor will conquer it oftener; and for this plain reason, good-humor must operate on generosity, ill-humor on meanness. [ Greville ]

The failure of his mind in old age is often less the result of natural decay than of disuse. Ambition has ceased to operate; contentment brings indolence: indolence, decay of mental power, ennui, and sometimes death. Men have been known to die, literally speaking, of disease induced by intellectual vacancy. [ Sir Benjamin Brodie ]