I believe that there is no test of greatness in periods, nations or men more sure than the development, among them or in them, of a noble grotesque, and no test of comparative smallness or limitation, of one kind or another, more sure than the absence of grotesque invention, or incapability of understanding it.

One of the worst diseases to which the human creature is liable is its disease of thinking.

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

Life without industry is guilt, and industry without art is brutality.

Childhood often holds a truth with its feeble finger, which the grasp of manhood cannot retain,--which it is the pride of utmost age to recover.

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

All the other passions do occasional good, but whenever pride puts in its word, everything goes wrong, and what it might really be desirable to do, quietly and innocently, it is mortally dangerous to do, proudly.