There are big men, men of intellect, intellectual men, men of talent and men of action; but the great man is difficult to find, and it needs --apart from discernment --a certain greatness to find him.

It is always dangerous to generalize, but the American people, while infinitely generous, are a hard and strong race and, but for the few cemeteries I have seen, I am inclined to think they never die.

[On spiritualism:] I always knew the living talked rot, but it's nothing to the rot the dead talk.

Although I am not stupid, the mathematical side of my brain is like dumb notes upon a damaged piano.

The power to love what is purely abstract is given to few.

The spirit is an inward flame; a lamp the world blows upon but never puts out.

I do not say I was ever what I would call "plain," but I have the sort of face that bores me when I see it on other people.