The assault of our enemies is not part of our life; it is only part of our experience; we throw it off and guard ourselves against it as against frost, storm, rain, hail, or any other of the external evils which may be expected to happen.

At bottom, no real object is unpoetical, if the poet knows how to use it properly.

Painting and tattooing the body is a return to animalism.

As for what I have done as a poet, I take no pride in whatever. Excellent poets have lived at the same time with me, poets more excellent lived before me, and others will come after me. But that in my country I am the only person who knows the truth in the difficult science of colors-of that, I say, I am not a little proud, and here have a consciousness of superiority to many.

Poor fool! in whose petty estimation all things are little.

The best government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves.

Who strives always to the utmost, him can we save.