What's old collapses, times change, And new life blossoms in the ruins.

It is at the approach of extreme danger when a hollow puppet can accomplish nothing, that power falls into the mighty hands of nature, of the spirit giant-born, who listens only to himself, and knows nothing of compacts.

No, no! I do nature injustice. She gave us inventive faculty, and set us naked, and helpless on the shore of this great ocean,--the world; swim those who can, the heavy may go to the bottom.

Man is made of ordinary things, and habit is his nurse.

Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers must do service and all talents swear allegiance.

Against stupidity, God Himself fights in vain.

There is no such thing as chance; and what seem to us merest accident springs from the deepest source of destiny.