The first steps in Agriculture, Astronomy, Zoology, (those first steps which the farmer, the hunter, and the sailor take,) teach that nature's dice are always loaded; that in her heaps and rubbish are concealed sure and useful results.

The only gift is a portion of thyself . . . the poet brings his poem; the shepherd his lamb. . . .

An action is the perfection and publication of thought. A right action seems to fill the eye, and to be related to all nature.

All forms of government symbolize an immortal government, common to all dynasties and independent of numbers, perfect where two men exist, perfect where there is only one man.

The dead sleep in their moonless night; my business is with the living.

We must not inquire too curiously into the absolute value of literature. Enough that it amuses and exercises us. At least it leaves us where we were. It names things, but does not add things.

Beauty is the virtue of the body as virtue is the beauty of the soul