Know thyself' was written over the portal of the antique world. Over the portal of the new world, 'Be thyself' shall be written.

If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat.

The condition of perfection is idleness: the aim of perfection is youth.

Romantic literature is in effect imaginative lying.

The worst vice of the fanatic is his sincerity.

Lo! with a little rod I did but touch the honey of romance — And must I lose a soul's inheritance?

There are times when sorrow seems to me to be the only truth.