The eager and often inconsiderate appeals of reformers and revolutionists are indispensable to counterbalance the inertia and fossilism marking so large a part of human institutions.

To have great poets, there must be great audiences.

When one reaches out to help another he touches the face of God.

Sometimes with one I love, I fill myself with rage, for fear I effuse unreturn'd love; But now I think there is no unreturn'd love—the pay is certain, one way or another; (I loved a certain person ardently, and my love was not return'd; Yet out of that, I have written these songs.)

There will never be any more perfection than there is now.

The smallest sprout shows there is really no death. And if ever there was it led forward life, and does not wait at the end to arrest it.

Whatever satisfies the soul is truth.