The lessons of science should be experimental also. The sight of a planet through a telescope is worth all the course on astronomy; the shock of the electric spark in the elbow outvalues all theories; the taste of the nitrous oxide, the firing of an artificial volcano, are better than volumes of chemistry.

We come to our own and would make friends with matter, which the ambitious chatter of the schools would persuade us to despise. We can never part with it; the mind loves its old home: as water to our thirst, so is rock, the ground, to our eyes, and hands, and feet. It is firm water: it is cold flame: what health, what affinity!

Art is not to be found by touring to Egypt, China, or Peru; if you cannot find it at your own door, you will never find it.

Obedience alone gives the right to command.

The dice of God are always loaded.

He who would be a great soul in the future, must be a great soul now.

In daily life what distinguishes the master is the using those materials he has, instead of looking about for what are more renowned, or what others have used well.