“I have grown hard to satisfy, and write very slowly, and I have so much bad fiction, that will be thought of when I don't want to think of it, that I am forced to take more care than I ever took.”

Describing increasing artistic self-criticism and care in later work · Letter to John Forster, 29 March 1864

• Art
• Truth

“It has, or should have, a strong interest for us all, since to its literature every country must look for one great means of refining and improving its people, and one great source of national pride and honour.”

Presenting literature as both a civilising force and a source of shared pride · Speech, Boston, February 1842

• Art
• Truth

“The benefits he acquires in such a place are not of a selfish kind, but extend themselves to his home, and to those whom it contains.”

Seeing education as something whose benefits spread through families · Speech, Manchester, 5 October 1843

• Friendship
• Hope