“Mere reading and writing is not education.”

Distinguishing basic literacy from the broader formation of mind and character · Speech, Glasgow Athenæum, 28 December 1847

• Truth

“But let a good book in these “bad” times be made accessible, even upon an abstruse and difficult subject, and my life on it, it shall be extensively bought, read, and well considered.”

Expressing confidence in the public appetite for serious books when they are accessible · Speech, Birmingham, 6 January 1853

• Art
• Hope

“You will, of course, receive my opinion as that of an individual writer and student of art, who by no means claims to be infallible.”

Framing literary criticism with humility about personal judgement · Letter to an anonymous correspondent, 5 February 1867

• Art
• Truth