Poetry is emotion put into measure. The emotion must come by nature, but the measure can be acquired by art. – Thomas Hardy
Everybody is so talented nowadays that the only people I care to honor as deserving real distinction are those who remain in obscurity. – Thomas Hardy
Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change. – Thomas Hardy
If all hearts were open and all desires known — as they would be if people showed their souls — how many gapings, sighings, clenched fists, knotted brows, broad grins, and red eyes should we see in the market-place! – Thomas Hardy