The story of any one man's real experience finds its startling parallel in that of every one of us.

Where Church and State are habitually associated, it is natural that minds, even of a high order, should unconsciously come to regard religion as only a subtler mode of police.

And the poorest twig on the elm-tree was ridged inch deep with pearl.

In creating, the only hard thing is to begin: a grass blade's no easier to make than an oak.

Love lives on, and hath a power to bless when they who loved are hidden in the grave.

All birds during the pairing season become more or less sentimental, and murmur soft nothings in a tone very unlike the grinding-organ repetition and loudness of their habitual song. The crow is very comical as a lover; and to hear him trying to soften his croak to the proper Saint-Preux standard has something the effect of a Mississippi boatman quoting Tennyson.

There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.