For, in fact, I say the degree of vision that dwells in a man is a correct measure of the man. Once, we fancied the earth a plane, and stationary. In admiring the sunset, we do not yet deduct the rounding, coordinating, pictorial powers of the eye. The same interference from our organization creates the most of our pleasure and pain. Our first mistake is the belief that the circumstance gives the joy which we give to the circumstance.
Life is an ecstasy. . . .
We live by our imaginations, by our admirations, by our sentiments. . . . Few have overheard the gods, or surprised their secret. Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. As if one shut up always in a tower, with one window, through which the face of heaven and earth could be seen, should fancy that all the marvels he beheld belonged to that window. . . .