There is some reason to believe that when a man does not write his poetry it escapes by other vents through him, instead of the one vent of writing; clings to his form and manners, whilst poets have often nothing poetical about them except their verses.

It is a mischievous notion that we are come late into nature; that the world was finished a long time ago. As the world was plastic and fluid in the hands of God, so it is ever to so much of his attributes as we bring to it. To ignorance and sin, it is flint. They adapt to themselves to it as they may; but in proportion as a man has anything in him divine, the firmament flows before him and takes his signet and form.

Many of the historical proverbs have a doubtful paternity.

If you cannot be free be as free as you can.

The essence of friendship is entireness, a total magnanimity and trust.

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.

Popularity is for dolls.