Proportion is almost impossible to human beings. There is no one who does not exaggerate.

Philosophically considered, the universe is composed of Nature and the Soul.

Some books leave us free and some books make us free.

The world looks like a multiplication-table, or a mathematical equation, which, turn it how you will, balances itself.

I read the other day some verses written by an eminent painter which were original and not conventional. The soul always hears an admonition in such lines, let the subject be what it may. The sentiment they instil is of more value than any thought they may contain. To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, - that is genius.

Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.

We ought to be cautious in taking even the best ascertained opinions and practices of the primitive Church for our own. If it could be satisfactorily shown that they esteemed it authorized and transmitted forever, that does not settle the question for us. We know how inveterately they were attached to their Jewish prejudices, and how often even the influence of Christ failed to enlarge their views. On every other subject succeeding times have learned to form a judgement more in accordance with the spirit of Christianity than was the practice of the early ages.