"The secret of poetry is never explained - is always new. We have not got farther than mere wonder at the delicacy of the touch, & the eternity it inherits. In every house a child that in mere play utters oracles, & knows not that they are such. 'Tis as easy as breath. 'Tis like this gravity, which holds the Universe together, & none knows what it is."
"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."
"He in whom the love of repose predominates will accept the first creed, the first philosophy, the first political party he meets — most likely his father's. He gets rest, commodity, and reputation; but he shuts the door of truth."
"With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now."
"It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
"There is one other reason for dressing well, namely that dogs respect it, and will not attack you in good clothes."