Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be so or not.

In youth men are apt to write more wisely than they really know or feel; and the remainder of life may be not idly spent in realizing and convincing themselves of the wisdom which they uttered long ago.

In this republican country, amid the fluctuating waves of our social life, somebody is always at the drowning-point.

It [the scarlet letter] had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself.

Sunlight is painting.

Every young sculptor seems to think that he must give the world some specimen of indecorous womanhood, and call it Eve, Venus, a Nymph, or any name that may apologize for a lack of decent clothing.

There is an alchemy of quiet malice by which women can concoct a subtle poison from ordinary trifles.