Almost all people descend to meet. All association must be a compromise, and, what is worst, the very flower and aroma of the flower of each of the beautiful natures disappears as they approach each other.

Every burned book or house enlightens the world; every suppressed or expunged word reverberates through the earth from side to side.

Solitude, the safeguard of mediocrity, is to genius the stern friend

The interminable forests should become graceful parks, for use and delight.

Picture and sculpture are the celebrations and festivities of form.

Slavery is no scholar, no improver; it does not love the whistle of the railroad; it does not love the newspaper, the mailbag, a college, a book or a preacher who has the absurd whim of saying what he thinks; it does not increase the white population; it does not improve the soil; everything goes to decay.

To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty.