Love is a brilliant illustration of a principle everywhere discoverable: namely, that human reason lives by turning the friction of material forces into the light of ideal goods.

Historical investigation has for its aim to fix the order and character of events throughout past time and in all places. The task is frankly superhuman.

Oaths are the fossils of piety.

Truth is a jewel which should not be painted over; but it may be set to advantage and shown in a good light.

The works of nature first acquire a meaning in the commentaries they provoke.

If all art aspires to the condition of music, all the sciences aspire to the condition of mathematics.

Music is essentially useless, as life is; but both have an ideal extension which lends utility to its conditions.