Blessed is he who has found his work; let him ask no other blessedness. He has a work, a Life-purpose... Get your happiness out of your work or you will never know what real happiness is... Even in the meanest sorts of Labour, the whole soul of a man is composed into a kind of real harmony the instant he sets himself to work!

In no time whatever can small critics entirely eradicate out of living men's hearts a certain altogether peculiar collar reverence for Great Men--genuine admiration, loyalty, adora-tion.

The mystery of a person, indeed, is ever divine to him that has a sense for the godlike.

Every noble crown is, and on Earth will forever be, a crown of thorns.

I came hither [Craigenputtoch] solely with the design to simplify my way of life and to secure the independence through which I could be enabled to remain true to myself.

A judicious man looks at Statistics, not to "get knowledge, but to save himself from having ignorance foisted 'on him".

A strong mind always hopes, and has always cause to hope.