"There is, therefore, no difficulty in answering such questions as these. What cause was there why the Universe was pl…"

"They say there is a young lady in [New Haven] who is beloved of that Great Being, who made and rules the world, and t…"

"When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speakin…"

"To mark all that I say in conversation, merely to beget in others, a good opinion of myself, and examine it."

"The beauty of the world consists wholly of sweet mutual consents, either within itself or with the supreme being."

"Almost all men, and those that seem to be very miserable, love life, because they cannot bear to lose sight of such a…"

"A little, wretched, despicable creature; a worm, a mere nothing, and less than nothing; a vile insect that has risen …"

"I often used to sit and view the moon for a long time; and in the day spent much time in viewing the clouds and sky, …"

"The soul of a true christian, as I then wrote my meditations, appeared like such a little white flower as we see in t…"

"Intend to live in continual mortification, and never to expect or desire any worldly ease or pleasure."