James Russell Lowell

A wise scepticism is the first attribute of a good critic.

The misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.

There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.

One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.

Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never happen.

Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle.

In creating, the only hard thing is to begin: a grass blade's no easier to make than an oak.