Let none presume to measure the irregularities of Michael Angelo or Socrates by village scales.

For the time of towns is tolled from the world by funereal chimes, but in nature the universal hours are counted by succeeding tribes of animals and plants, and by growth of joy on joy.

When we quarrel, how we wish we had been blameless.

It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.

It is easy to carp at colleges, and the college, if he will wait for it, will have its own turn. Genius exists there also, but will not answer a call of a committee of the House of Commons. It is rare, precious, eccentric, and darkling.

All the elements, whose aid man calls in, will sometimes become big masters.

The vulgar call good fortune that which really is produced by the calculations of genius.