But perhaps a man is not required to bury himself.

The strongest wind cannot stagger a Spirit; it is a Spirit's breath. A just man's purpose cannot be split on any Grampus or material rock, but itself will split rocks till it succeeds.

I believe that it is in my power to elevate myself this very hour above the common level of my life.

The true finish is the work of time, and the use to which a thing is put. The elements are still polishing the pyramids.

No doubt Carlyle has a propensity to exaggerate the heroic in history, that is, he creates you an ideal hero rather than another thing.... Yet what were history if he did not exaggerate it? How comes it that history never has to wait for facts, but for a man to write it? The ages may go on forgetting the facts never so long, he can remember two for every one forgotten. The musty records of history, like the catacombs, contain the perishable remains, but only in the breast of genius are embalmed the souls of heroes.

By one bait or another, Nature allures inhabitants into all her recesses.

What exercise is to the body, employment is to the mind and morals.