The truth of Nature is a part of the truth of God; to him who does not search it out, darkness; to him who does, infinity.

The noble grotesque involves the true appreciation of beauty.

The constant duty of every man to his fellows is to ascertain his own powers and special gifts, and to strengthen them for the help of others.

Science deals exclusively with things as they are in themselves; and art exclusively with things as they affect the human sense and human soul.

When we build ... let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think ... that a time is to come when these stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor, and the wrought substance of them, See! This our fathers did for us!

I believe the right question to ask, respecting all ornament, is simply this; was it done with enjoyment, was the carver happy while he was about it?

Work first, and then rest.