“Who God doth late and early pray,
More of his grace than gifts to send,
And entertains the harmless day
With a well-chosen book or friend.”

“Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen.”

Samuel Paterson (1728–1802) English bookseller and auctioneer

“It is better to learn war early from friends, than late from enemies.”

Mary Renault book The Bull from the Sea

“Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.”

Amos Bronson Alcott (1799–1888) American teacher and writer

“The grace of God is the thing that is needful. One should pray for the grace of God.”

Sarada Devi (1853–1920) Hindu religious figure, spiritual consort of Ramakrishna

“The early graced of Grecian song,
The fragrant myrtle tree;
For it doth speak of happy love,
The delicate, the true.”

Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–1838) English poet and novelist

“When you ask God for a gift,
Be thankful if he sends,
Not diamonds, pearls or riches,
but the love of real true friends.”

Helen Steiner Rice (1900–1981) American poet

“Friendship is a precious gift that can't be bought or sold. It's value is greater than mountains made of gold. If you shall ask God for a gift be thankful if he sends not diamonds pearls or riches but the love and trust of friends. It is the friends you can call up at 4 a. m. that matter.”

Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992) German-American actress and singer

“Serving God is doing good to man, but praying is thought an easier service and therefore more generally chosen. ”

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, …

“It's much more entertaining to live books than to write them.”

Jean Webster book Daddy-Long-Legs