Poetry reproduces an indefinable mood that is more amorous than love itself. Venus is not so beautiful all naked, alive, and panting, as she is here in Virgil.

Friendship is a creature formed for a companionship not for a herd.

I am one of those who hold that poetry is never so blithe as in a wanton and irregular subject.

There is more ado to interpret interpretations than to interpret things, and more books upon books than upon any other subject; we do nothing but comment upon one another. Every place swarms with commentaries; of authors there is great scarcity.

The bees pillage the flowers here and there but they make honey of them which is all their own; it is no longer thyme or marjolaine: so the pieces borrowed from others he will transform and mix up into a work all his own.

To honor him whom we have made is far from honoring him that hath made us.

How many valiant men we have seen to survive their own reputation!