The best emotions to write out of are anger and fear or dread. . . . The least energizing emotion read more

The best emotions to write out of are anger and fear or dread. . . . The least energizing emotion to write out of is admiration . . . because the basic feeling that goes with admiration is a passive contemplative mood.

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

We live by our imagination, our admirations, and our sentiments.

We live by our imagination, our admirations, and our sentiments.

What I have known with respect to myself, has tended much to lessen both my admiration, and my contempt, of read more

What I have known with respect to myself, has tended much to lessen both my admiration, and my contempt, of others.

The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring.

The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring.

Some people are molded by their admirations, others by their hostilities.

Some people are molded by their admirations, others by their hostilities.

To admire nothing, (as most are wont to do;)
Is the only method that I know,
To read more

To admire nothing, (as most are wont to do;)
Is the only method that I know,
To make men happy, and to keep them so.

For fools admire, but me of sense approve.

For fools admire, but me of sense approve.

Admiration is a very short-lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it be still fed read more

Admiration is a very short-lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it be still fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a perpetual succession of miracles rising into view.