Americans began by loving youth, and now, out of adult self-pity, they worship it.

Take a portion of wit, And fashion it fit, Like a needle, with point and with eye: A point that can wound, An eye to look round, And at folly or vice let it fly

Vanity is a static thing. It puts it faith in what it has, and is easily wounded. Pride is active, and satisfied only with what it can do, hence accustomed not to feel small stings.

The mind tends to run along the groove of one's intention and overlook the actual expression.

The history of creation is but a succession of battles between amateurs of genius-inspired heretics- and orthodox professionals.

Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or else it is not art.

Except among those whose education has been in the minimalist style, it is understood that hasty moral judgments about the past are a form of injustice.