Much of this world's wisdom is still acquired by necromancy,--by consulting the oracular dead.

Many men spend their lives in gazing at their own shadows, and so dwindle away into shadows thereof.

Who is fit to govern others? He who governs himself. You might as well have said: nobody.

In a mist the heights can for the most part see each other; but the valleys cannot.

The ablest writer is only a gardener first, and then a cook: his tasks are, carefully to select and cultivate his strongest and most nutritive thoughts; and when they are ripe, to dress them, wholesomely, and yet so that they may have a relish.

The poet sees things as they look. Is this having a faculty the less? or a sense the more?

In the moment of our creation we receive the stamp of our individuality; and much of life is spent in rubbing off or defacing the impression.