Before you contradict an old man, my fair friend, you should endeavour to understand him.

Imagination is potentially infinite. Though actually we are limited to the types of experience for which we possess organs, those organs are somewhat plastic. Opportunity will change their scope and even their center.

The soul, too has her virginity and must bleed a little before bearing fruit.

The human mind is not rich enough to drive many horses abreast and wants one general scheme, under which it strives to bring everything.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

To most people, I fancy, the stars are beautiful; but if you asked why, they would be at a loss to reply, until they remembered what they had heard about astronomy, and the great size and distance and possible habitation of those orbs. ... [We] persuade ourselves that the power of the starry heavens lies in the suggestion of astronomical facts.

A musical education is necessary for musical judgement. What most people relish is hardly music; it is rather a drowsy reverie relieved by nervous thrills.