It is as useless to fight against the interpretations of ignorance as to whip the fog.

Of all forms of human error, prophesy is the most avoidable.

Explain! Tell a man to explain how he dropped into hell! Explain my preference! I never had a PREFERENCE for her, any more than I have a preference for breathing. No other woman exists by the side of her. I would rather touch her hand if it were dead, than I would touch any other woman's living.

It is always chilling, in friendly intercourse, to say you have no opinion to give.

I don't mind how many letters I receive from one who interests me as much as you do. The receptive part of correspondence I can carry on with much alacrity. It is writing answers that I groan over.

I easily sink into mere absorption of what other minds have done, and should like a whole life for that alone.

These gems have life in them: their colors speak, say what words fail of.