Who can ever be alone for a moment in Italy? Every stone has a voice, every grain of dust seems instinct with spirit from the Past, every step recalls some line, some legend of long-neglected lore.

Some degree of expression is necessary for growth, but it should be little in proportion to the full life.

It is astonishing what force, purity, and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehoods.

Pain has no effect but to steal some of my time.

What concerns me now is that my life be a beautiful, powerful, in a word, a complete life of its kind.

The critic ... should be not merely a poet, not merely a philosopher, not merely an observer, but tempered of all three.

Plants of great vigor will almost always struggle into blossom, despite impediments. But there should be encouragement, and a free genial atmosphere for those of more timid sort, fair play for each in its own kind.