“A man's shortcomings are taken from his epoch; his virtues and greatness belong to himself.”

“Man is not born to solve the problem of the universe, but to find out what he has to do; and to restrain himself within the limits of his comprehension.”

“Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will.”

“Weary of liberty, he suffered himself to be saddled and bridled, and was ridden to death for his pains.”

“His easy going behavior contrasts greatly with my restlessness”

“A lovely, pure, noble, and most moral nature, without the strength of nerve which forms a hero, sinks beneath a burden which it cannot bear, and must not cast away. All duties are holy for him; the present is too hard. Impossibilities have been required of him; not in themselves impossibilities, but such for him. He winds, and turns, and torments himself; he advances and recoils, is ever put in mind, ever puts himself in mind; at last does all but lose his purpose from his thoughts; yet still without recovering his peace of mind.”

“What is the destiny of man, but to fill up the measure of his sufferings, and to drink his allotted cup of bitterness?”