It is not enough to take steps which may someday lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.

Reason can never be popular. Passions and feelings may become popular, but reason will always remain the sole property of a few eminent individuals.

A teacher who can arouse a feeling for one single good action, for one single good poem, accomplishes more than he who fills our memory with rows and rows of natural objects, classified with name and form.

If you want to get pleasure out of life, you must attach value to the world.

There is nothing in the world more shameful than establishing one's self on lies and fables.

Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.

The style of writing required in the great world is distinguished by a free and daring grace, a careless security, a fine and sharp polish, a delicate and perfect taste; while that fitted for the people is characterized by a vigorous natural fulness, a profound depth of feeling, and an engaging naivete.