Society cannot do without cultivated men. As soon as the first wants are satisfied, the higher wants become imperative.

A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages

The quality of the imagination is to flow and not to freeze.

My gentleman gives the law where he is; he will outpray saints in chapel, outgeneral veterans in the field, and outshine all courtesy in the hall. He is good company for pirates, and good with academicians; so that it is useless to fortify yourself against him; he has the private entrance to all minds, and I could as easily exclude myself, as him.

Words are also actions, and actions are a kind of words.

Every man is an infinitely repelling orb, and holds his individual being on that condition.

Art is a jealous mistress; and if a man have a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture or philosophy, he makes a bad husband and an ill provider.