A man sees only what concerns him.... How much more, then, it requires different intentions of the eye and of the mind to attend to different departments of knowledge! How differently the poet and the naturalist look at objects!

If one listens to the faintest but constant suggestions of his genius, which are certainly true, he sees not to what extremes, or even insanity, it may lead him; and yet that way, as he grows more resolute and faithful, his road lies.

Who knows what beautiful and winged life, whose egg has been buried for ages under many concretic layers of woodenness in the dead dry life of society...may unexpectedly come forth...to enjoy its perfect summer life at last!...Such is the character of that morrow which mere lapse of time can never make to dawn...Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.

The Grecian are youthful and erring and fallen gods, with the vices of men, but in many important respects essentially of the divine race.

I do not know where to find in any literature, whether ancient or modern, any adequate account of that Nature with which I am acquainted.

Blessed are they who never read a newspaper, for they shall see Nature, and through her, God.

Do what nobody else can do for you. Omit to do anything else.