The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly, they are more himself than he is.

If there be any man who thinks the ruin of a race of men a small matter, compared with the last decoration and completions of hisown comfort,--who would not so much as part with his ice- cream, to save them from rapine and manacles, I think I must not hesitate to satisfy that man that also his cream and vanilla are safer and cheaper by placing the negro nation on a fair footing than by robbing them.

If I could put my hand on the north star, would it be as beautiful? The sea is lovely, but when we bathe in it the beauty forsakesall the near water. For the imagination and senses cannot be gratified at the same time.

Poetry must be as new as foam and as old as the rock.

People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.

Every genuine work of art has as much reason for being as the earth and the sun.

There is a time when a man distinguishes the idea of felicity from the idea of wealth; it is the beginning of wisdom.