A man known to us only as a celebrity in politics or in trade, gains largely in our esteem if we discover that he has some intellectual taste or skill.

Fear is an instructor of great sagacity, and the herald of all revolutions.

A great man will find a great subject, or which is the same thing, make any subject great.

We begin with friendships, and all our youth is a reconnoitering and recruiting of the holy fraternity they shall combine for thesalvation of men. But so the remoter stars seem a nebula of united light, yet there is no group which a telescope will not resolve; and the dearest friends are separated by impassable gulfs.

The truth, the hope of any time, must always be sought in minorities.

Outside among your fellows, among strangers, you must preserve appearances, a hundred things you cannot do; but inside, the terrible freedom.

Nature is made to conspire with spirit to emancipate us.