Books are the best type of the influence of the past.

Here must thou be, O man, Strength to thyself - no helper hast thou here - Here keepest thou thy individual state: No other can divide with thee this work, No secondary hand can intervene To fashion this ability. 'Tis thine, The prime and vital principle is thine In the recesses of thy nature, far From any reach of outward fellowship, Else 'tis not thine at all.

The child is father of the man.

Babylon, Learned and wise, hath perished utterly, Nor leaves her speech one word to aid the sigh That would lament her.

For youthful faults ripe virtues shall atone.

Our meddling intellect Misshapes the beauteous forms of things We murder to dissect

Thou unassuming common-place of Nature, with that homely face.