Whatever appeals to the imagination, by transcending the ordinary limits of human ability, wonderfully encourages and liberates us.

The victories of character are instant, and victories for all.

He cumbers himself never about consequences, about interests; he gives an independent, genuine verdict. You must court him: he does not court you. But the man is, as it were, clapped into jail by his consciousness.

Next to the originator of a good sentence is the first quoter of it.

Men lose their tempers in defending their taste.

The soul of God is poured into the world through the thoughts of men.

Some men at the approach of a dispute neigh like horses. Unless there be an argument, they think nothing is doing. Some talkers excel in the precision with which they formulate their thoughts, so that you get from them somewhat to remember; others lay criticism asleep by a charm. Especially women use words that are not words,--as steps in a dance are not steps,--but reproduce the genius of that they speak of; as the sound of some bells makes us think of the bell merely, whilst the church chimes in the distance bring the church and its serious memories before us.