The secret of culture is to learn, that a few great points steadily reappear, alike in the poverty of the obscurest farm, and in the miscellany of metropolitan life, and that these few are alone to be regarded,--the escape from all false ties; courage to be what we are; and love what is simple and beautiful; independence and cheerful relation, these are the essentials,--these, and the wish to serve,--to add somewhat to the well-being of men.

Don't make a novel to establish a principle of political economy. You will spoil both.

I cannot forgive a scholar his homeless despondency.

We write from aspiration and antagonism, as well as from experience. We paint those qualities which we do not posses.

The religion of England is part of good-breeding. When you see on the continent the well-dressed Englishman come into his ambassador's chapel and put his face for silent prayer into his smooth-brushed hat, you cannot help feeling how much national pride prays with him, and the religion of a gentleman.

A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us.

Our thinking is a pious reception.