The higher a man stands, the more the word vulgar becomes unintelligible to him.

Obey something, and you will have a chance to learn what is best to obey. But if you begin by obeying nothing, you will end by obeying the devil and all his invited friends.

Absolute ugliness is admitted as rarely as perfect beauty; but degrees of it more or less distinct are associated with whatever has the nature of death and sin, just as beauty is associated with what has the nature of virtue and of life.

Much of the character of everyman may be read in his house.

Do not think it wasted time to submit yourselves to any influence which may bring upon you any noble feeling.

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

Milton saw not, and Beethoven heard not, but the sense of beauty was upon them, and they fain must speak.