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

They who boast of their tolerance merely give others leave to be as careless about religion as they are themselves. A walrus might as well pride itself on its endurance of cold.

There is as much difference between good poetry and fine verses, as between the smell of a flower-garden and of a perfumer's shop.

It is natural that affluence should be followed by influence.

Poetry is to philosophy what the Sabbath is to the rest of the week.

When the moon, after covering herself with darkness as in sorrow, at last throws off the garments of her widowhood, she does not at once expose herself impudently to the public gaze; but for a time remains veiled in a transparent cloud, till she gradually acquires courage to endure the looks and admiration of beholders.

When we skim along the surface of history we see little but the rough barren rocks that rise out of it.