Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart, is true for all men - that is genius... Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist... What I must do, is all that concerns me; not what the people think... Nothing can bring you peace but yourself; nothing, but the triumph of principles.

A good intention but fixed and resolute - bent on high and holy ends, we shall find means to them on every side and at every moment; and even obstacles and opposition will but make us "like the fabled specter-ships," which sail the fastest in the very teeth of the wind.

It has been the office of art to educate the perception of beauty. We are immersed in beauty but our eyes have no clear vision.

Happy is he who looks only into his work to know if it will succeed, never into the times or the public opinion; and who writes from the love of imparting certain thoughts and not from the necessity of sale - who writes always to the unknown friend.

Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.

Nature is a rag merchant, who works up every shred and ort and end into new creations.