Eloquence must be grounded on the plainest narrative. Afterwards, it may warm itself until it exhales symbols of every kind and color, speaks only through the most poetic forms; but first and last, it must still be at bottom a biblical statement of fact.

The only sin that we never forgive in each other is a difference in opinion.

I take this evanescence and lubricity of all objects, which lets them slip through our fingers then when we clutch hardest, to be the most unhandsome part of our condition.

The next best thing to saying a good thing yourself is to quote one.

Whatever events in progress shall disgust men with cities, and infuse into them the passion for country life, and country pleasures, will render a service to the whole face of this continent, and will further the most poetic of all the occupations of real life, the bringing out by art the native but hidden graces of the landscape.

A life in harmony with nature, the love of truth and virtue, will purge the eyes to understanding her text.

With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall.