In the range of inorganic nature. I doubt if any object can be found more perfectly beautiful than a fresh, deep snowdrift, seen under warm light.

Bread of flour is good; but there is bread, sweet as honey, if we would eat it, in a good book.

The power of association is stronger than the power of beauty; therefore, the power of association is the power of beauty.

Architecture ... the adaptation of form to resist force.

The best work never was and never will be done for money.

To watch the corn grow, and the blossoms set; to draw hard breath over ploughshare or spade; to read, to think, to love, to hope, to pray, — these are the things that make men happy.

In mortals there is a care for trifles which proceeds from love and conscience, and is most holy; and a care for trifles which comes of idleness and frivolity, and is most base. And so, also, there is a gravity proceeding from thought, which is most noble; and a gravity proceeding from dulness and mere incapability of enjoyment, which is most base.