He who draws noble delights from sentiments of poetry is a true poet, though he has never written a line in all his life.

A cigar numbs sorrow and fills the solitary hours with a million gracious images.

One is happy as a result of one's own efforts, once one knows of the necessary ingredients of happiness-simple tastes, a certain degree of courage, self-denial to a point, love of work, and, above all, a clear conscience. Happiness is no vague dream, of that I now feel certain.

The prayers of a lover are more imperious than the menaces of the whole world

No place is ugly to those who understand the virtues and sweetness of everything that God has made.

Try to keep your soul young and quivering right up to old age, and to imagine right up to the brink of death that life is only beginning. I think that is the only way to keep adding to one's talent, and one's inner happiness.

One wastes so much time, one is so prodigal of life, at twenty! Our days of winter count for double. That is the compensation of the old.