That which is creative must create itself.

There is an electric fire in human nature tending to purify - so that among these human creatures there is continually some birth of new heroism. The pity is that we must wonder at it, as we should at finding a pearl in rubbish.

Health is the greatest of blessings - with health and hope we should be content to live.

My mind has been the most discontented and restless one that ever was put into a body too small for it.

Can death be sleep, when life is but a dream, And scenes of bliss pass as a phantom by? ---"On death

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains/ My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk.

Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.