Genius is the naturalist or geographer of the supersensible regions, and draws their map; and, by acquainting us with new fields of activity, cools our affection for the old. These are at once accepted as the reality, of which the world we have conversed with is the show.

You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as the plant has root, bud, and fruit.

The soul answers never by words, but by the thing itself that is inquired after.

The great poet makes us feel our own wealth, and then we think less of his compositions. His best communication to our mind is to teach us to despise all he has done.

Nature will not be Buddhist: she resents generalizing, and insults the philosopher in every moment with a million fresh particulars.

I wish to write such rhymes as shall not suggest a restraint, but contrariwise the wildest freedom.

But in every constitution some large degree of animal vigor is necessary as material foundation for the higher qualities of the art.