Sidney Lanier

“Pretty much the whole of life is a matter of trying to sit down and be quiet.”

“I am fevered with the sunset, I am fretful with the bay, For the wander-thirst is on me And my soul is in Cathay.”

“A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.”

“The poet is the only potentate conquering the earth; the poet, the musician, and the artist are the only true proprietors of this world.”

“How eagerly the human mind drinks in melodious sounds.”

“As the marsh-hen secretly builds on the watery sod, Behold I will build me a nest on the greatness of God.”

“Into the woods my Master went, Clean forspent, forspent. Into the woods my Master came, Forspent with love and shame.”

“For the artist in poetry is not to be obtained by reading prescriptions, but by taking poetry.”

“Music is love in search of a word.”

“Trade is the calm health of nations.”

“Unless you are suffused with truth, truth-fullness, through and through, you will not be able to execute what you are contending for.”

“The catholic man, I trow, is that who can love all men and things.”

“Today I have grown taller from walking with the trees.”

“Music means harmony, harmony means love, and love is God.”