How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest read more

How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest take their flight
Are the most exquisite and strong;
Like angel's visits short and bright,
Mortality's too weak to bear them long.

Joy is but the sign that creative emotion is fulfilling its purpose.

Joy is but the sign that creative emotion is fulfilling its purpose.

The deep joy we take in the company of people with whom we have just recently fallen in love is read more

The deep joy we take in the company of people with whom we have just recently fallen in love is undisguisable.

You shall have joy, or you shall have power, said God; you shall not have both

You shall have joy, or you shall have power, said God; you shall not have both

And, e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.

And, e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.

One of the greatest joys known to man is to take a flight into ignorance in search of knowledge

One of the greatest joys known to man is to take a flight into ignorance in search of knowledge

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Joy, in Nature's wide dominion,
Mightiest cause of all is found;
And 'tis joy that moves the read more

Joy, in Nature's wide dominion,
Mightiest cause of all is found;
And 'tis joy that moves the pinion
When the wheel of time goes round.

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. read more

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.