The law of nature is alternation for evermore. Each electrical state superinduces the opposite. The soul environs itself with friends, that it may enter into a grander self-acquaintance or solitude; and it goes alone for a season, that it may exalt its conversation or society.

The intellect is vagabond, and our system of education fosters restlessness. Our minds travel when our bodies are forced to stay at home. We imitate; and what is imitation but the travelling of the mind?

It seems as if nature, in regarding the geologic night behind her, when, in five or six millenniums, she had turned out five or six men, as Homer, Phidias, Menu, and Columbus, was no wise discontented with the result. These samples attested the virtue of the tree.

Art and power will go on as they have done,--will make day out of night, time out of space, and space out of time.

Conversation in society is found to be on a platform so low as to exclude science, the saint, and the poet.

If you would lift me up you must be on higher ground.

Wild liberty develops iron conscience. Want of liberty, by strengthening law and decorum, stupefies conscience.