Every increased possession loads us with a new weariness.

I believe that the first test of a great man is his humility. I don't mean by humility, doubt of his power. But really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not of them, but through them. And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.

There is no action so slight or so mean but it may be done to a great purpose, and ennobled thereby.

The eye is continually influenced by what it cannot detect; nay, it is not going too far, to say that it is most influenced by what it detects least. Let the painter define, if he can, the variations of lines on which depend the change of expression in the human countenance.

Modern travelling is not travelling at all; it is merely being sent to a place, and very little different from becoming a parcel.

Your labor only may be sold, your soul must not.

Without the perfect sympathy with the animals around them, no gentleman's education, no Christian education, could be of any possible use.