Who said “It is astonishing what force, purity, and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep…”?

“Reality is something you rise above.”

“A theory must be tempered with reality.”

“Reality is nothing but a collective hunch.”

“Reality in our century is not something to be faced.”

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.”

“Nature provides exceptions to every rule.”

“The especial genius of women I believe to be electrical in movement, intuitive in function, spiritual in tendency.”

“Essays, entitled critical, are epistles addressed to the public, through which the mind of the recluse relieves itself of its impressions.”

“It is not because the touch of genius has roused genius to production, but because the admiration of genius has made talent ambitious, that the harvest is still so abundant.”

“It does not follow because many books are written by persons born in America that there exists an American literature. Books which imitate or represent the thoughts and life of Europe do not constitute an American literature. Before such can exist, an original idea must animate this nation and fresh currents of life must call into life fresh thoughts along the shore.”

“There are two modes of criticism. One which crushes to earth without mercy all the humble buds of Phantasy, all the plants that, though green and fruitful, are also a prey to insects or have suffered by drought. It weeds well the garden, and cannot believe the weed in its native soil may be a pretty, graceful plant. There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there is a beauty in natural form, if its law and purpose be understood.”