Scepticism commonly takes up the room left by defect of imagination, and is the very quality of mind most likely to seek for sensual proof of supersensual things. If one came from the dead it could not believe; and yet it longs for such a witness, and will put up with a very dubious one.
James Russell LowellThere comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.
James Russell LowellIt is not a great Xerxes army of words, but a compact Greek ten thousand that march safely down to posterity.
James Russell LowellAll the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
James Russell LowellThe realm of death seems an enemy's country to most men, on whose shores they are loathly driven by stress of weather; to the wise man it is the desired port where he moors his bark gladly, as in some quiet haven of the Fortunate Isles; it is the golden west into which his sun sinks, and, sinking, casts back a glory upon the leaden cloud-tack which had darkly besieged his day.
James Russell Lowell