In good writing, words become one with things.

Power is what they want, not candy-power to execute their design, power to give legs and feet, form and actuality to their thought; which, to a clear-sighted man, appears the end for which the universe exists, and all its resources might be well applied.

Don't set out to teach theism from your natural history... You spoil both.

Nothing can work damage to me except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me and never am a real sufferer except by my own fault.

In all things I would have the island of a man inviolate. Let us sit apart as the gods, talking from peak to peak all round Olympus. No degree of affection need invade this religion.

We must be courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.

You need not fear to handle the truth roughly. She is no invalid.