Vermont is the only place in America where I ever hear thrift spoken of with respect.

A mom isn't an individual to lean on, but a person to generate leaning needless.

perhaps all this modern ferment of what's known as 'social conscience' or 'civic responsibility' isn't a result of the sense of duty, but of the old, old craving for beauty.

the most elementary experience of life proves that the effects of compulsion last exactly as long as the physical or moral club can be applied.

What is life, but one long risk?

I've always noticed that nobody can be single-minded who isn't narrow-minded; and I think it likely that people who aren't so cocksure what they want to do with themselves, hesitate because they have a great deal more to deal with. A nature rich in fine and complex possibilities takes more time to dispose of itself, but when it does, the world's beauty is the gainer.

Almost anything is enough to keep alive someone who wishes nothing for himself but time to write music.