Quotes from Henry Van Dyke

The worlds in which we live at heart are one, The world "I am," the fruit of "I have done"; And underneath these worlds of flower and fruit, The world "I love,"--the only living root.

A little while the rose, And after that the thorn; An hour of dewy morn, And then the glamour goes. Ah, love in beauty born, A little while the rose!

Never believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; never tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary - and remember that God is listening while you tell it.

Self is the only prison which can contain.

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.

He knew that all was well, because he had done the best that he could, from day to day. He had been true to the light that had been given to him

There is a loftier ambition than merely to stand high in the world. It is to stoop down and lift mankind a little higher.

What we do belongs to what we are, and what we are is what becomes of us.

In mirth he mocks the other birds at noon, Catching the lilt of every easy tune; But when the day departs he sings of love,— His own wild song beneath the listening moon.

Oh It's home again, and homed again, America for me. I want a ship that's Westward bound, to plough the rolling sea.

But it is better to follow even the shadow of the best than to remain content with the worst.

Time is to slow for those who wait, Too swift for those who fear, Too long for those who grieve, Too short for those who rejoice... But for those who love, Time is Eternity.

Only that which is truly given, answered the bell-like voice. Only that good which is done for the love of doing it. Only those plans in which the welfare of others is the master thought. Only those labors in which the sacrifice is greater than the reward. Only those gifts in which the giver forgets himself.

The proverb says that 'well begun is half done.' But the other half is harder and more necessary,-to get a thing well ended.

What we do belongs to who we are; and what we are is what becomes of us.

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

SCENE I Night, in the garden of NAAMAN at Damascus. At the left, on a slightly raised terrace, the palace, with softly gleaming lights and music coming from the open latticed windows.

Religion? Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds. They follow Christ, but far away; they wander and they doubt. I'll serve him in a better way, and live his precepts out.

But how have I failed so wretchedly, he asked, in all the purpose of my life? What could I have done better? What is it that counts here?

Should he risk the great reward of his divine faith for the sake of a single deed of human love?

Modest egotism is the salt of conversation; you do not want too much of it, but if it is altogether omitted, everything tastes flat.

This is the soldier brave enough to tellThe glory-dazzled world that "war is hell":Lover of peace, he looks beyond the strife,And rides through hell to save his country's life.

A peace that depends on fear is nothing but a suppressed war.

Too slow for those who wait, Too swift for those who fear, Too long for those who grieve, Too short for those who rejoice. But for those who love, time is not.