“Every reader, if he has a strong mind, reads himself into the book, and amalgamates his thoughts with those of the author.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”

“A creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself; it is a child of solitude.”

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