And of poetry, the success is not attained when it lulls and satisfies, but when it astonishes and fires us with new endeavours after the unattainable.

Miracle comes to the miraculous, not to the arithmetician.

No man can have society upon his own terms.

Character is higher than intellect... A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.

When there is sympathy, there needs but one wise man in a company and all are wise,--so, a blockhead makes a blockhead of his companion. Wonderful power to benumb possesses this brother.

Men are conservatives when they are least vigorous, or when they are most luxurious. They are conservatives after dinner, or before taking their rest; when they are sick or aged. In the morning, or when their intellect or their conscience has been aroused, when they hear music, or when they read poetry, they are radicals.

Style is only the frame to hold your thoughts. It is like the sash of a window; if heavy, it will obscure the light.