He who, in an enlightened and literary society, aspires to be a great poet, must first become a little child. He must take to pieces the whole web of his mind. He must unlearn much of that knowledge which has perhaps constituted hitherto his chief title to superiority. His very talents will be a hindrance to him.

Temple was a man of the world amongst men of letters, a man of letters amongst men of the world.

Nothing except the mint can make money without advertising.

It is good to be often reminded of the inconsistency of human nature, and to learn to look without wonder or disgust on the weaknesses which are found in the strongest minds.

Scotland by no means escaped the fate ordained for every country which is connected, but not incorporated, with another country of greater resources.

He was a rake among scholars, and a scholar among rakes.

Books are becoming everything to me. If I had at this moment any choice in life, I would bury myself in one of those immense libraries...and never pass a waking hour without a book before me.