If the aristocrat is only valid in fashionable circles, and not with truckmen, he will never be a leader in fashion; and if the man of the people cannot speak on equal terms with the gentleman, so that the gentleman shall perceive that he is already really of his own order, he is not to be feared.

Insist on your life, never imitate... do that which is assigned to you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much.

The aspect of nature is devout. Like the figure of Jesus, she stands with bended head, and hands folded upon the breast. The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship.

No rent-roll nor army-list can dignify skulking and dissimulation: and the first point of courtesy must always be truth, as really all the forms of good-breeding point that way.

The land is the appointed remedy for whatever is false and fantastic in our culture...food for our mind, as well as our body.

There is always a best way of doing everything, if it be to boil an egg. Manners are the happy ways of doing things.

Beware of what you want-for you will get it.