The beginning of an acquaintance whether with persons or things is to get a definite outline of our ignorance.

Ignorance gives one a large range of probabilities

Knowledge slowly builds up what Ignorance in an hour pulls down

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that action, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment to friends; and that the most liberal professions of good-will are very far from being the surest marks of it

The beginning of compunction is the beginning of a new life.

Our consciousness rarely registers the beginning of a growth within us any more than without us; there have been many circulation of the sap before we detect the smallest sign of the bud.