All things are moral. That soul, which within us is a sentiment, outside of us is a law. We feel its inspiration; out there in history we can see its fatal strength.

A man should not be a silkworm; nor a nation a tent of caterpillars.

There can be no high civility without a deep morality, though it may not always call itself by that name.

I dip my pen in the blackest ink, because I'm not afraid of falling into my inkpot.

I am a part and parcel of God.

To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun.

Genius is always sufficiently the enemy of genius by over influence. The literature of every nation bear me witness. The English dramatic poets have Shakspearized now for two hundred years.