From lower to the higher next,
Not to the top, is Nature's text;
And embryo good, to read more

From lower to the higher next,
Not to the top, is Nature's text;
And embryo good, to reach full stature,
Absorbs the evil in its nature.

So long as all the increased wealth which modern progress brings,
goes but to build up great fortunes, to read more

So long as all the increased wealth which modern progress brings,
goes but to build up great fortunes, to increase luxury, and make
sharper the contest between the House of Have and the House of
Want, progress is not real and cannot be permanent.

Westward the course of empire takes its way;
The four first Acts already past,
A fifth shall read more

Westward the course of empire takes its way;
The four first Acts already past,
A fifth shall close the Drama with the day;
Time's noblest offspring is the last.

What we call "progress " is the exchange of one nuisance for
another nuisance.

What we call "progress " is the exchange of one nuisance for
another nuisance.

What is art
But life upon the larger scale, the higher,
When, graduating up in a spiral read more

What is art
But life upon the larger scale, the higher,
When, graduating up in a spiral line
Of still expanding and ascending gyres,
It pushed toward the intense significance
Of all things, hungry for the Infinite?
Art's life--and where we live, we suffer and toil.

The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.

The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world, but the unreasonable man tries to adapt the world to him--therefore, all read more

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world, but the unreasonable man tries to adapt the world to him--therefore, all progress depends upon the unreasonable man.

New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward, who would keep read more

New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of
truth.

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.