I attended [Sir Humphry] Davy's lectures to renew my stock of metaphors.

Until you understand a writer's ignorance, presume yourself ignorant of his understanding.

Intense study of the Bible will keep any writer from being vulgar, in point of style.

Mr. Lyell's system of geology is just half the truth, and no more. He affirms a great deal that is true, and he denies a great deal which is equally true; which is the general characteristic of all systems not embracing the whole truth.

As it must not, so genius cannot be lawless; for it is even that constitutes its genius - the power of acting creatively under laws of its own origination.

If a man is not rising upward to be an angel, depend on it, he is sinking downward to be a devil.

No voice; but oh - the silence sank Like music on my heart.