Margaret Fuller

We doubt not the destiny of our country — that she is to accomplish great things for human nature, and be the mother of a nobler race than the world has yet known. But she has been so false to the scheme made out at her nativity, that it …

It is not because the touch of genius has roused genius to production, but because the admiration of genius has made talent ambitious, that the harvest is still so abundant.

There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there …

There are two modes of criticism. One which … crushes to earth without mercy all the humble buds of Phantasy, all the plants that, though green and fruitful, are also a prey to insects or have suffered by drouth

Essays, entitled critical, are epistles addressed to the public, through which the mind of the recluse relieves itself of its impressions.

It does not follow because many books are written by persons born in America that there exists an American literature. Books which imitate or represent the thoughts and life of Europe do not constitute an American literature. Before such …

Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow.

Genius will live and thrive without training, but it does not the less reward the watering-pot and pruning-knife.

The use of criticism, in periodical writing, is to sift, not to stamp a work.

Let no one dare to call another mad who is not himself willing to rank in the same class for every perversion and fault of judgment. Let no one dare aid in punishing another as criminal who is not willing to suffer the penalty due to his …

Might the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy be laid to heart! Might a sense of the true aims of life elevate the tone of politics and trade, till public and private honor become identical!

How many persons must there be who cannot worship alone since they are content with so little.

It is astonishing what force, purity, and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehoods.

Men disappoint me so, I disappoint myself so, yet courage, patience, shuffle the cards ...

Put up at the moment of greatest suffering a prayer, not for thy own escape, but for the enfranchisement of some being dear to thee, and the sovereign spirit will accept thy ransom.

Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved.

There are noble books but one wants the breath of life sometimes. And I see no divine person. I myself am more divine than any I see — I think that is enough to say about them...