We are never without a pilot. When we know not how to steer, and dare not hoist a sail, we can drift. The current knows the way, though we do not. The ship of heaven guides itself, and will not accept a wooden rudder.

The brevity of human life gives a melancholy to the profession of the architect.

Observe how every truth and every error, each a thought of someone's mind, clothes itself with societies, houses, cities, language, ceremonies, newspapers

When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns his ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.

Do not speak of God much. After a very little conversation on the highest nature, thought deserts us and we run into formalism.

Nature is a rag merchant, who works up every shred and ort and end into new creations.

The fox has many tricks. The hedgehog has but one. But that is the best of all.