Old age is not one of the beauties of creation, but it is one of its harmonies. The law of contrasts is one of the laws of beauty. Under the conditions of our climate, shadow gives light its worth; sternness enhances mildness; solemnity, splendor. Varying proportions of size support and subserve one another.

It is a little stream, which flows softly, but freshens everything along its course.

True poets, like great artists, have scarcely any childhood, and no old age.

My sole defense against the natural horror which death inspires is to love beyond it.

Years do not make sages; they only make old men.

Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they have overshot it.

Men do not go out to meet misfortune as we do. They learn it; and we--we divine it.