Every real thought on every real subject knocks the wind out of somebody or other.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Every year if not every day we have to wager our salvation upon some prophecy based upon imperfect knowledge.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Except in cases of necessity which are rare leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies they are ready enough to tell him.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Faith as an intellectual state is self-reliance.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Faith implies the disbelief of a lesser fact in favor of a greater.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Fame usually comes to those who are thinking about something else.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

For me at least there came moments when faith wavered. But there is the great lesson and the great triumph: keep the fire burning until by and by out of the mass of sordid details there comes some result.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Friendship is the pleasing game of interchanging praise.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Grateful for the blessing lent of simple tastes and mind content!

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Have the courage to act instead of React.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes