The elect, those who will; the non-elect, those who won't.

A very common flower adds generosity to beauty. It gives joy to the poor, to the rude, and to the multitudes who could have no flowers were nature to charge a price for her blossoms.

A gamester, as such, is the cool, calculating, essential spirit of concentrated, avaricious selfishness.

Customs represent the experience of mankind.

Expedients are for an hour, but principles are for the ages. Just because the rains descend and winds blow, we cannot afford to build on shifting sands.

The first merit of pictures is the effect which they can produce upon the mind; — and the first step of a sensible man should be to receive involuntary effects from them. Pleasure and inspiration first, analysis afterward.

Make men large and strong and tyranny will bankrupt itself in making shackles for them.