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.

Every wise man lives in an observatory.

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.

Some persons take reproof good-humoredly enough, unless you are so unlucky as to hit a sore place. Then they wince and writhe, and start up and knock you down for your impertinence, or wish you good morning.

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

Moral prejudices are the stopgaps of virtue; and, as is the case with other stopgaps, it is often more difficult to get either out or in through them than through any other part of the fence.

I was surprised just now at seeing a cobweb around a knocker; for it was not on the door of heaven.