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

Spirits that have once been sincerely united and tended together a sacred flame, never become entirely stranger to one another's life.

What I mean by the Muse is that unimpeded clearness of the intuitive powers, which a perfectly truthful adherence to every admonition of the higher instincts would bring to a finely organized human being. It may appear as prophesy or as poesy...should these faculties have free play, I believe they will open up new, deeper and purer sources of joyous inspiration than have as yet refreshed the earth.

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

All great expression, which on a superficial survey seems so easy as well as so simple, furnishes after a while, to the faithful observer, its own standard by which to appreciate it.

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

What a difference it makes to come home to a child!