I find it a great and fatal difference whether I court the Muse, or the Muse courts me. That is the ugly disparity between age and youth.

A beautiful woman is a picture which drives all beholders nobly mad.

There is no event greater in life than the appearance of new persons about our hearth, except it be the progress of the characterwhich draws them.

It is bad enough that our geniuses cannot do anything useful, but it is worse that no man is fit for society who has fine traits.He is admired at a distance, but he cannot come near without appearing a cripple.

Each of us sees in others what we carry in our own hearts.

Cities force growth and make men talkative and entertaining, but they make them artificial. What possesses interest for us is thenatural of each, his constitutional excellence. This is forever a surprise, engaging and lovely; we cannot be satiated with knowing it, and about it; and it is this which the conversation with Nature cherishes and guards.

The wise know that foolish legislation is a rope of sand, which perishes in the twisting.