. . . is it to be understood that the principles of the Declaration of Independence bear no relation to half of the human race?

It never enters the lady's head that the wet-nurse's baby probably dies.

I never did a right thing or abstained from a wrong one from any consideration of reward or punishment.

His subject is the "Origin of Species," & not the origin of Organization; & it seems a needless mischief to have opened the latter speculation at all.

It is not quite true that there are no good letters written in America: among my own circle of correspondents there, there are ladies and gentlemen whose letters would stand a comparison with any for frankness, grace, and epistolary beauty of every kind. But I am not aware of any medium between this excellence and the boarding-school insignificance which characterizes the rest.

I have no sympathy for those who, under any pressure of circumstances, sacrifice their heart's-love for legal prostitution.

It is characteristic of genius to be hopeful and aspiring.