Most people are so constituted that they can only be virtuous in a certain routine; an irregular course of life demoralizes them.

Great men need to be lifted upon the shoulders of the whole world, in order to conceive their great ideas or perform their great deeds. That is, there must be an atmosphere of greatness round about them. A hero cannot be a hero unless in an heroic world.

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.

Writing can come naturally to some. Still, when it comes to good writing, this is true: Easy reading is damn hard writing.

it is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at bottom.

I have laughed, in bitterness and agony of heart, at the contrast between what I seem and what I am!

This greatest mortal consolation, which we derive from the transitoriness of all things-from the right of saying, in every conjuncture, "This, too, will pass away.