Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a real confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself is justly undervalued by others.

Talent is the capacity of doing anything that depends on application and industry and it is a voluntary power, while genius is involuntary.

The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.

The essence of poetry is will and passion.

The last pleasure in life is the sense of discharging our duty.

Confidence gives a fool the advantage over a wise man.

Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself. He who has a contempt for poetry, cannot have much respect for himself, or for anything else.