For a man to act himself, he must be perfectly free; otherwise he is in danger of losing all sense of responsibility or of self- respect.

Bribed with a little sunlight and a few prismatic tints, we bless our Maker, and stave off his wrath with hymns.

The poet is he who can write some pure mythology today without the aid of posterity.

Like speaks to like only; labor to labor, philosophy to philosophy, criticism to criticism, poetry to poetry. Literature speaks how much still to the past, how little to the future, how much to the East, how little to the West.

What recommends commerce to me is its enterprise and bravery. It does not clasp its hands and pray to Jupiter.

The universe seems bankrupt as soon as we begin to discuss the characters of individuals.

The only way to tell the truth is to speak with kindness. Only the words of a loving man can be heard.