A failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough.
Christian Nestell Bovee

A sound discretion is not so much indicated by never making a mistake as by never repeating it.
Christian Nestell Bovee

As threshing separates the wheat from the chaff, so does affliction purify virtue.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Courage enlarges, cowardice diminishes resources. In desperate straits the fears of the timid aggravate the dangers that imperil the brave.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Earth took her shining station as a star, In Heaven's dark hall, high up the crowd of worlds.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Enthusiasm is the inspiration of everything great. Without it no man is to be feared, and with it none despised.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.
Christian Nestell Bovee

False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Fame - a few words upon a tombstone, and the truth of those not to be depended on.
Christian Nestell Bovee


Genius makes its observations in short-hand; talent writes them out at length.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Good men have the fewest fears. He has but one great fear who fears to do wrong; he has a thousand who has overcome it.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Heaven lent you a soul, Earth will lend a grave.
Christian Nestell Bovee

In ambition, as in love, the successful can afford to be indulgent toward their rivals. The prize our own, it is graceful to recognize the merit that vainly aspired to it.
Christian Nestell Bovee

In politics, merit is rewarded by the possessor being raised, like a target, to a position to be fired at.
Christian Nestell Bovee

It is ever the invisible that is the object of our profoundest worship. With the lover it is not the seen but the unseen that he muses upon.
Christian Nestell Bovee

It is the passion that is in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Living with a saint is more grueling than being one.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Many children, many cares; no children, no felicity.
Christian Nestell Bovee

Music is the fourth great material want, first food, then clothes, then shelter, then music.
Christian Nestell Bovee