All that is transitory is but a metaphor.

I examine my own being, and find there a world, but a world rather of imagination and dim desires, than of distinctness and living power. Then everything swims before my senses, and I smile and dream while pursuing my way through the world.

The man who occupies the first place seldom plays the principal part.

He alone deserves liberty and life who daily must win them anew.

The person of analytic or critical intellect finds something ridiculous in everything. The person of synthetic or constructive intellect, in almost nothing.

[W]hat counts is that one perceives excellence and dares to give it expression, which sounds little but is in fact a great deal.

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.