When we look back, the only things we cherish are those which in some way met our original want; the desire which formed in us in early youth, undirected, and of its own accord.

All the intelligence and talent in the world can't make a singer. The voice is a wild thing. It can't be bred in captivity. It is a sport, like the silver fox. It happens.

In this world people have to pay an extortionate price for any exceptional gift whatever.

The great pines stand at a considerable distance from each other. Each tree grows alone, murmurs alone, thinks alone. They do notintrude upon each other. The Navajos are not much in the habit of giving or of asking help. Their language is not a communicative one, and they never attempt an interchange of personality in speech. Over their forests there is the same inexorable reserve. Each tree has its exalted power to bear.

There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before.

We all like people who do things, even if we only see their faces on cigar-box lids.

Religion and art spring from the same root and are close kin.