Nations grow corrupt, love bondage more than liberty; bondage with ease than strenuous liberty. [ Milton ]

A strenuous soul hates cheap success. It is the ardor of the assailant that makes the vigor of the defendant. [ Ralph Waldo Emerson ]

Truth should be strenuous and bold; but the strongest things are not always the noisiest, as any one may see who compares scolding with logic. [ Chapin ]

Threescore years and ten! It is the Scriptural statute of limitations. After that, you owe no active duties; for you the strenuous life is over. You are a time-expired man, to use Kipling's military phrase: You have served your term, well or less well, and you are mustered out. You are become an honorary member of the republic, you are emancipated, compulsions are not for you, nor any bugle-tail but lights out. You pay the time-worn duty bills if you choose, or decline if you prefer - and without prejudice - for they are not legally collectable. [ Mark Twain, Seventieth Birthday speech ]