Who shall set a limit to the influence of a human being?

Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind; and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is the key to that era.

The poet needs a ground in popular tradition on which he may work, and which, again, may restrain his art within the due temperance. It holds him to the people, supplies a foundation for his edifice; and, in furnishing so much work done to his hand, leaves him at leisure, and in full strength for the audacities of his imagination.

The poet's habit of living should be set on a key so low that the common influences should delight him.

Only be admonished by what you already see, not to strike leagues of friendship with cheap persons, where no friendship can be. Our impatience betrays us into rash and foolish alliances which no God attends.

In all things I would have the island of a man inviolate. Let us sit apart as the gods, talking from peak to peak all round Olympus. No degree of affection need invade this religion.

Men have sometimes exchanged names with their friends, as if they would signify that in their friend each loved his own soul.