It is only the novice in political economy who thinks it is the duty of government to make its citizens happy - government has no such office.

Day by day and night by night we were together - all else has long been forgotten by me.

My rule has been, so far as I could have any rule (I could have no cast-iron rule) - my rule has been, to write what I have to say the best way I can - then lay it aside - taking it up again after some time and reading it afresh - the mind new to it. If there's no jar in the new reading, well and good - that's sufficient for me.

I celebrate myself, and sing myself.

Re-examine all you have been told in school or church or in any book, and dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem.

Great is the faith of the flush of knowledge and of the investigation of the depths of qualities and things.

As soon as histories are properly told there is no more need of romances.