“Talent is that which is in a man's power; genius is that in whose power a man is.”

A distinction between controllable talent and the compelling force of genius. · My Study Windows (1871), essay “Dante”

• Art
• Poetry

“Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.”

Giving moral action precedence over fine words · Essay, commonly attributed

• Beauty
• Truth

“Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.”

Celebrating books as agents of intellectual connection · Essay on books and libraries

• Art
• Friendship

“Democracy is the form of government that gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.”

A wry observation on the responsibilities and contradictions of popular government · Political commentary, commonly attributed

• Truth
• War

“The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinions.”

A sharp defence of intellectual growth and self-correction · Essay / My Study Windows

• Time
• Truth