The men who carry their points do not need to inquire of their constituents what they should say, but are themselves the country which they represent: nowhere are its emotions or opinions so instant and so true as in them; nowhere so pure from a selfish infusion.

Character repudiates intellect, yet excites it; and character passes into thought, is published so, and then is ashamed before newflashes of moral worth.

The god or hero of the sculptor is always represented in a transition from that which is representable to the senses, to that which is not.

You cannot hide any secret. If the artist succor his flagging spirits by opium or wine, his work will characterize itself as the effect of opium or wine. If you make a picture or a statue, it sets the beholder in that state of mind you had when you made it. If you spend for show, on building, or gardening, or on pictures, or on equipages, it will so appear. We are all physiognomists and penetrators of character, and things themselves are detective.

The true scholar grudges every opportunity of action passed, by, as a loss of power.

All stealing is comparative. If you come to absolutes, pray who does not steal.

Is there a difference? Yes. We are in harmony with nature, but never at peace.