American society is a sort of flat, fresh-water pond which absorbs silently, without reaction, anything which is thrown into it.

Every one must bear his own universe, and most persons are moderately interested in learning how their neighbors have managed to carry theirs.

Susceptibility to the highest forces is the highest genius.

Average human nature is very coarse, and its ideals must necessarily be average. The world never loved perfect poise. What the world does love is commonly absence of poise, for it has to be amused.

By nature, man is lazy, working only under compulsion; and when he is strong we will always live, as far as he can, upon the labor or the property of the weak.

The tourist was the great conservative who hated novelty and adored dirt.

We combat obstacles in order to get repose, and when got, the repose is insupportable.