The book, the college, the school of art, the institution of any kind, stop with some past utterance of genius. . . . They look backward and not forward. But genius looks forward: the eyes of man are set in his forehead, not in his hindhead: man hopes: genius creates. Whatever talents may be, if the man create not, the pure efflux of the Deity is not his; - cinders and smoke there may be, but not yet flame.

Anger is that powerful internal force that blows out the light of reason.

The religion of one age is the literary entertainment of the next.

I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names, to large societies and dead institutions.

The difference between talent and genius is in the direction of the current: in genius, it is from within outward; in talent from without inward.

In the true mythology, Love is an immortal child, and Beauty leads him as a guide; nor can we express a deeper sense than when we say, Beauty is the pilot of the young soul.

Of course you will insist on modesty in the children, and respect to their teachers, but if the boy stops you in your speech, cries out that you are wrong and sets you right, hug him!