A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

Very idle is all curiosity concerning other people's estimate of us, and all fear of remaining unknown is not less so.

An answer in words is delusive; it is really no answer to the questions you ask.

Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.

If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile.

Not the sun or summer alone, but every hour and season yields its tribute of delight.

A man is like a bit of Labrador spar, which has no luster as you turn it in your hand, until you come to a particular angle; then it shows deep and beautiful colors.