Geology does better in reclothing dry bones and revealing lost creations, than in tracing veins of lead and beds of iron; astronomy better in opening to us the houses of heaven than in teaching navigation; surgery better in investigating organiation than in setting limbs; only it is ordained that, for our encouragement, every step we make in science adds something to its practical applicabilities.

You cannot have good architecture merely by asking people's advice on occasion. All good architecture is the expression of national life and character; and it is produced by a prevalent and eager national taste, or desire for beauty.

The history of humanity is not the history of its wars, but the history of its households.

It seems a fantastic paradox, but it is nevertheless a most important truth, that no architecture can be truly noble which is not imperfect.

Every noble life leaves the fibre of it interwoven forever in the work of the world.

In old times men used their powers of painting to show the objects of faith, in later times they use the objects of faith to show their powers of painting.

This is the true nature of home - it is the place of Peace; the shelter, not only from all injury, but from all terror, doubt, and division.