I am the owner of the sphere, Of the seven stars and the solar year, of Caesar's hand, and Plato's brain, Of Lord Christ's heart, and Shakespeare's strain.

A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

Nature magically suits a man to his fortunes, by making them the fruit of his character.

As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods.

But there is no end to the praise of books, to the value of the library. Who shall estimate their influence on our population where all the millions read and write ? It is the joy of nations that man can communicate all his thoughts, discoveries and virtues to records that may last for centuries.

Beware of too much good staying in your hand. It will fast corrupt and worm worms. Pay it away quickly in some sort.

There is something servile in the habit of seeking after a law which we must obey.