Personal experience is the basis of all real literature.

Books minister to our knowledge, to our guidance, and to our delight, by their truth, their uprightness, and their art.

Many a genius has been slow of growth. Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed.

Science is not addressed to poets.

All bad Literature rests upon imperfect insight, or upon imitation, which may be defined as seeing at second-hand.

The delusions of self-love cannot be prevented, but intellectual misconceptions as to the means of achieving success may be corrected.

The public can only be really moved by what is genuine.