I say no body of men are fit to make Presidents, judges and generals, unless they themselves supply the best specimens of the same; and that supplying one or two such specimens illuminates the whole body for a thousand years.

I open my scuttle at night and see the far-sprinkled systems, All all I see multiplied as high as I can cipher edge but the rim of the farther systems. Wider and wider they spread, expanding, always expanding, Outward and outward and forever outward.

I like the scientific spirit-the holding off, the being sure but not too sure, the willingness to surrender ideas when the evidence is against them: this is ultimately fine-it always keeps the way beyond open.

I exist as I am, that is enough, If no other in the world be aware, I sit content, And if each and all be aware, I sit content.

The beautiful uncut hair of graves.

I discover myself on the verge of a usual mistake.

An individual is as superb as a nation when he has the qualities which make a superb nation.