We often feel that we lack something, and seem to see that very quality in someone else, promptly attributing all our own qualities to him too, and a kind of ideal contentment as well. And so the happy mortal is a model of complete perfection--which we have ourselves created.

Misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than malice and wickedness.

If you inquire what people are like here, I must answer, "The same as everywhere."

Deeply earnest and thoughtful people stand on shaky footing with the public.

If a poet would work politically, he must give himself up to a party; and so soon as he does that, he is lost as a poet.

I hate all explanations; they who make them deceive either themselves or the other party,-generally both.

There is no patriotic art.