I shun father and mother and wife and brother when my genius calls me. I would write on the lintels of the door-post, Whim. I hope that it is somewhat better than whim at last, but we cannot spend the day in explanation.

The objection to conforming to usages that have become dead to you is, that it scatters your force.

There is not a piece of science, but its flank may be turned tomorrow.

We are ashamed of our thoughts and often see them brought forth by others.

Some men are born to own, and can animate all their possessions. Others cannot: their owning is not graceful; seems to be a compromise of their character: they seem to steal their own dividends.

The eye is the best of artists.

Do not shut up the young people against their will in a pew, and force the children to ask them questions for an hour against their will.