The value and rank of every art is in proportion to the mental labor employed in it, or the mental pleasure in producing it.

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking.

All the gestures of children are graceful; the reign of distortion and unnatural attitudes commences with the introduction of the dancing master.

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts.

The young mind is pliable and imitates, but in more advanced states grows rigid and must be warmed and softened before it will receive a deep impression.

And he who does not know himself does not know others, so it may be said with equal truth, that he who does not know others knows himself but very imperfectly.

The value and rank of every art is in proportion to the mental labor employed in it, or the mental pleasure in producing it.