To the real artist in humanity, what are called bad manners are often the most picturesque and significant of all.

Books are to be called for and supplied on the assumption that the process of reading is not a half-sleep, but in the highest sense an exercise, a gymnastic struggle; that the reader is to do something for himself.

The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.

I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles.

Each of us inevitable; Each of us limitless-each of us with his or her right upon the earth.

The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it.

Well, every man has a religion; has something in heaven or earth which he will give up everything else for - something which absorbs him - which may be regarded by others as being useless - yet it is his dream, it is his lodestar, it is his master. That, whatever it is, seized upon me, made me its servant, slave - induced me to set aside the other ambitions a trail of glory in the heavens, which I followed, followed with a full heart. ...When once I am convinced, I never let go.