A king or a prince becomes by accident a part of history. A poet or an artist becomes by nature and necessity a part of universal humanity.

In our relations with the people around us, we forgive them more readily for what they do, which they can help, than for what they are, which they cannot help.

Genius and sunshine have this in common that they are the two most precious gifts of heaven to earth, and are dispensed equally to the just and the unjust.

It is not poverty so much as pretence that harasses a ruined man--the struggle between a proud mind and an empty purse--the keeping up a hollow show that must soon come to an end. Have the courage to appear poor, and you disarm poverty of its sharpest sting.

Fame is that which is known to exist by the echo of its footsteps through congenial minds.

Childhood sometimes does pay a second visit to man; youth never.

Chill penury weighs down the heart itself; and though it sometimes be endured with calmness, it is but the calmness of despair.