I think that there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant business.

We perceive and are affected by changes too subtle to be described.

Every people have gods to suit their circumstances.

It is not part of a true culture to tame tigers, any more than it is to make sheep ferocious.

It appears to be a law that you cannot have a deep sympathy with both man and nature.

As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.

Whether the flower looks better in the nosegay than in the meadow where it grew and we had to wet our feet to get it! Is the scholastic air any advantage?