Instead of saying that man is the creature of circumstance, it would be nearer the mark to say that man is the architect of circumstance.

Money will buy money's worth; but the thing men call fame, what is it?

Know what thou canst work at, and work at it like a Hercules.

Considering the multitude of mortals that handle the pen in these days, and can mostly spell, and write without glaring violations of grammar, the question naturally arises: How is it, then, that no work proceeds from them, bearing any stamp of authenticity and permanence; of worth for more than one day?

He that works and does some Poem, not he that merely says one, is worthy of the name of Poet.

It is now almost my sole rule of life to clear myself of cants and formulas, as of poisonous Nessus shirts.

Manhood begins when we have in any way made truce with Necessity; begins even when we have surrendered to Necessity, as the most part only do; but begins joyfully and hopefully only when we have reconciled ourselves to Necessity; and thus, in reality, triumphed over it, and felt that in Necessity we are free.