A human being needs only a small plot of ground on which to be happy, and even less to lie beneath.

It is always a sign of an unproductive time when it concerns itself with petty and technical aspects [in philology], and likewiseit is a sign of an unproductive person to pursue such trifles.

There are few who have at once thought and capacity for action. Thought expands, but lames; action animates, but narrows.

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.

Neither a work of nature nor one of art we get to know when they have been finished; we must surprise them in the process of beingcreated so as to understand them to some degree.

Modern poets add a lot of water to their ink.

Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.