But the golden-rod is one of the fairy, magical flowers; it grows not up to seek human love amid the light of day, but to mark to the discerning what wealth lies hid in the secret caves of earth.

Harmony exists no less in difference than in likeness, if only the same key-note govern both parts.

How anyone can remain a Catholic - I mean who has ever been aroused to think, and is not biased by the partialities of childish years - after seeing Catholicism here in Italy I cannot conceive.

Essays, entitled critical, are epistles addressed to the public, through which the mind of the recluse relieves itself of its impressions.

Man tells his aspiration in his God; but in his demon he shows his depth of experience.

Truth is the nursing mother of genius.

Only the dreamer shall understand realities, though in truth his dreaming must be not out of proportion to his waking.