Along the iron veins that traverse the frame of our country, beat and flow the fiery pulses of its exertion, hotter and faster every hour. All vitality is concentrated through those throbbing arteries into the central cities; the country is passed over like a green sea by narrow bridges, and we are thrown back in continually closer crowds on the city gates.

It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.

I would have, then, our ordinary dwelling-houses built to last, and built to be lovely; as rich and full of pleasantness as may be within and without: . . . with such differences as might suit and express each man's character and occupation, and partly his history.

One who does not know when to die, does not know how to live.

Drawing is a means of obtaining and communicating knowledge

Books are divided into two classes, the books of the hour and the books of all time.

All of one's life is music, if one touches the notes rightly, and in time.