So subtle is the atmosphere of opinion that it will make itself felt without words.

The greater the interest involved in a truth the more careful, self-distrustful, and patient should be the inquiry.

there is no independence and pertinacity of opinion like that of these seemingly soft, quiet creatures, whom it is so easy to silence, and so difficult to convince.

There is no phase of the Italian mind that has not found expression in its music.

The pain of discipline is short, but the glory of the fruition is eternal.

Once, in an age, God sends to some of us a friend who loves in us, not a false imagining, an unreal character, but, looking through all the rubbish of our imperfections, loves in us the divine ideal of our nature, — loves, not the man that we are, but the angel that we may be.

O, because I have had only that kind of benevolence which consists in lying on a sofa, and cursing the church and clergy for not being martyrs and confessors. One can see, you know, very easily, how others ought to be martyrs.