Imperfection is in some sort essential to all that we know in life.

No divine terror will ever be found in the work of the man who wastes a colossal strength in elaborating toys; for the first lesson that terror is sent to teach us is, the value of the human soul, and the shortness of mortal time.

Obedience is, indeed, founded on a kind of freedom, else it would become mere subjugation, but that freedom is only granted that obedience may be more perfect; and thus while a measure of license is necessary to exhibit the individual energies of things, the fairness and pleasantness and perfection of them all consist in their restraint.

All really great pictures exhibit the general habits of nature, manifested in some peculiar, rare, and beautiful way.

There are many religions, but there is only one morality.

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

The principle of all successful effort is to try to do not what is absolutely the best, but what is easily within our power, and suited for our temperament and condition.