The Renaissance of the fifteenth century was, in many things, great rather by what it designed then by what it achieved.

The various forms of intellectual activity which together make up the culture of an age, move for the most part from different starting-points, and by unconnected roads.

To burn always with this hard, gem-like flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life.

The Renaissance of the fifteenth century was, in many things, great rather by what it designed then by what it achieved.

Books are a refuge, a sort of cloistral refuge, from the vulgarities of the actual world.

Art comes to you proposing frankly to give nothing but the highest quality to your moments as they pass.

In truth, the legitimate contention is, not of one age or school of literary art against another, but of all successive schools alike, against the stupidity which is dead to the substance, and the vulgarity which is dead to form.