To the very last, he [Napoleon] had a kind of idea; that, namely, of la carrière ouverte aux talents, - the tools to him that can handle them.

Through the sad heart of Ruth, when sick for home She stood in tears amid the alien corn; The same that ofttimes hath Charm'd magic casements, opening on the foam Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.

There is an old saying "well begun is half done"-'tis a bad one. I would use instead-Not begun at all 'til half done.

Fanatics have their dreams, wherewith they weave a paradise for a sect.

Real are the dreams of Gods, and smoothly pass Their pleasures in a long immortal dream.

The excellence of every art is its intensity, capable of making all disagreeables evaporate, from their being in close relationship with beauty and truth.

Poetry should be great and unobtrusive, a thing which enters into one's soul, and does not startle it or amaze it with itself, but with its subject.