What are Raphael's Madonnas but the shadow of a mother's love, fixed in permanent outline forever?

Life is as inexorable as the sea.

Do not waste a minute - not a second - in trying to demonstrate to others the merits of your performance. If your work does not vindicate itself, you cannot vindicate it.

It is no discredit to Walt Whitman that he wrote Leaves of Grass, only that he did not burn it afterwards.

An easy thing, O Power Divine, To thank thee for these gifts of Thine, For summer's sunshine, winter's snow, For hearts that kindle thoughts that glow.

How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!

The first wild-flower of the year is like land after sea.