"Nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men and women not following the same pursuits with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, the state instead of being whole is reduced to half."

"One man cannot practice many arts with success."

"There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands."

"He who is not a good servant will not be a good master."

"Metrics are not a device for restraining the mad, any more than 'open form' or free verse is a prairie where a man can do all kinds of manly things in a state of wholesome unrestrictedness."

"My mortal foe can no ways wish me a greater harm than England's hate neither should death be less welcome unto me than such a mishap betide me."

"If it weren't the problem of politics for me, it would be another. And yet, sometimes it's so difficult. And I feel sorry for myself. And then hate myself for this feeling of self-pity."

"Hurt leads to bitterness, bitterness to anger, travel too far that road and the way is lost."