Nature has made up her mind that what cannot defend itself shall not be defended.

Prudence is the virtue of the senses. It is the science of appearances. It is the outmost action of the inward life.

The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.

What the tender and poetic youth dreams to-day, and conjures up with inarticulate speech, is to-morrow the vociferated result of public opinion, and the day after is the character of nations.

It is the delight of vulgar talent to dazzle and to bind the beholder. But true genius seeks to defend us from itself. True geniuswill not impoverish, but will liberate, and add new sense. If a wise man should appear in our village, he would create, in those who conversed with him, a new consciousness of wealth, by opening their eyes to unobserved advantages; he would establish a sense of immovable equality, calm us with assurances that we could not be cheated; as every one would discern the checks and guarantees of condition.

The reality is more excellent than the report.

An artist spends himself like the crayon in his hand, till he is all gone.