Genius ... is necessarily intolerant of fetters.

To have suffered much is like knowing many languages. Thou hast learned to understand all.

If we only look far enough off for the consequence of our actions, we can always find some point in the combination of results by which those actions can be justified: by adopting the point of view of a Providence who arranges results, or of a philosopher who traces them, we shall find it possible to obtain perfect complacency in choosing to do what is most agreeable to us in the present moment.

'Tis God gives skill, but not without men's hand: He could not make Antonio Stradivarius's violins without Antonio.

There is a sort of subjection which is the peculiar heritage of largeness and of love; and strength is often only another name for willing bondage to irremediable weakness.

And certainly, the mistakes that we male and female mortals make when we have our own way might fairly raise some wonder that we are so fond of it.

Hatred is like fire, it makes even light rubbish deadly.