But a public oration is an escapade, a non-committal, an apology, a gag, and not a communication, not a speech, not a man.

Man is a stream whose source is hidden. Our being is descending into us from we know not whence.

Under every deep a lower deep opens.

Each man has his own vocation; his talent is his call. There is one direction in which all space is open to him.

Painting was called silent poetry and poetry speaking painting.

Our age is very cheap and intelligible. Unroof any house, and you shall find it. The well-being consists in having a sufficiency of coffee and toast, with a daily newspaper; a well glazed parlor, with marbles, mirrors and centre-table; and the excitement of a few parties and a few rides in a year.

To be a man is to be a nonconformist.