When a nation gives birth to a man who is able to produce a great thought, another is born who read more

When a nation gives birth to a man who is able to produce a great thought, another is born who is able to understand and admire it

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.

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.

You always admire what you really don't understand.

You always admire what you really don't understand.

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

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

For fools admire, but me of sense approve.

For fools admire, but me of sense approve.

Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear. . . .

Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear. . . .

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 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.