Thou art in the end what thou art. Put on wigs with millions of curls, set thy foot upon ell-high rocks. Thou abidest ever--what thou art.

Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality.

A well-bred carriage is difficult to imitate; for in strictness it is negative, and it implies a long-continued previous training.

A great artist... must be shaken by the naked truths that will not be comforted. This divine discontent, this disequilibrium, this state of inner tension is the source of artistic energy.

All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green.

The people rate strength before everything.

Literature is a fragment of a fragment. Of all that ever happened, or has been said, but a fraction has been written; and of this but little is extant.