The universal soul is the alone creator of the useful and the beautiful; therefore to make anything useful or beautiful, the individual must be submitted to the universal mind.

The cardinal virtue of a teacher [is] to protect the pupil from his own influence.

It is for want of self-culture that the superstition of Travelling, whose idols are Italy, England, Egypt, retains its fascinationfor all educated Americans.

Painting was called silent poetry and poetry speaking painting.

Nature magically suits a man to his fortunes, by making them the fruit of his character.

We begin with friendships, and all our youth is a reconnoitering and recruiting of the holy fraternity they shall combine for thesalvation of men. But so the remoter stars seem a nebula of united light, yet there is no group which a telescope will not resolve; and the dearest friends are separated by impassable gulfs.

There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence.