Things are pretty, graceful, rich, elegant, handsome, but, until they speak to the imagination, not yet beautiful.

Colleges, in like manner, have their indispensable office,--to teach elements. But they can only highly serve us, when they aim not to drill, but to create; when they gather from far every ray of various genius to their hospitable halls, and, by the concentrated fires, set the hearts of their youth on flame.

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.

The influence of fine scenery, the presence of mountains, appeases our irritations and elevates our friendships.

Philosophically considered, the universe is composed of Nature and the Soul.

The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence. Nature never wears a mean appearance. Neither does the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection. Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit. The flowers, the animals, the mountains, reflected the wisdom of his best hour, as much as they had delighted the simplicity of his childhood.

Everything is made of one hidden stuff.