Tremble not before the free man, but before the slave who has chains to break.

A man who means to think and write a great deal must, after six and twenty, learn to read with his fingers.

No temple can still the personal griefs and strifes in the breasts of its visitors.

There are noble books but one wants the breath of life sometimes.

Genius will live and thrive without training, but it does not the less reward the watering pot and the pruning knife.

It does not follow because many books are written by persons born in America that there exists an American literature. Books which imitate or represent the thoughts and life of Europe do not constitute an American literature. Before such can exist, an original idea must animate this nation and fresh currents of life must call into life fresh thoughts along the shore.

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.