Flowers that are so pathetic in their beauty, frail as the clouds, and in their coloring as gorgeous as the heavens, had through thousands of years been the heritage of children – honored as the jewelry of God…. – Thomas De Quincey

If wisdom and diamonds grew on the same tree we could soon tell how much men loved wisdom. – Lemuel K. Washburn, Is The Bible Worth Reading And Other Essays, 1911

The emerald condenses the green of the meadows and certain aspects of the ocean. – Charles Blanc, Art in Ornament and Dress, 1875, translated from French

In diving to the bottom of pleasure we bring up more gravel than pearls. – Honore de Balzac