A young man must let his ideas grow, not be continually rooting them up to see how they are getting on

Terrible and sublime thought, that every moment is supreme for some man and woman, every hour the apotheosis of some passion!

He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n, Let him not know't, and he's not robb'd at all

He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolen, Let him not know 't and he's not robb'd at all

Our minds thus grow in spots; and like grease spots, the spots spread. But we let them spread as little as possible; we keep unaltered as much of our old knowledge, as many of our old prejudices and beliefs, as we can. We patch and tinker more than we renew. The novelty soaks in; it stains the ancient mass; but it is also tinged by what absorbs it.

God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man.