The face of nature and civilization in this our country is to a certain point a very sufficient literary field. But it will yield its secrets only to a really grasping imagination. To write well and worthily of American things one need even more than elsewhere to be a master.

One is oneself a fine consequence.

It might seem that an egg which has succeeded in being fresh has done all that can reasonably be expected of it.

He valued life and literature equally for the light they threw upon each other; to his mind one implied the other; he was unable to conceive of them apart.

Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

I adore adverbs; they are the only qualifications I really much respect.

Always keep a window in the attic open; not just cracked: open.