Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; read more

Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.

Reason, ruling alone, is a force confining, and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction. Therefore, read more

Reason, ruling alone, is a force confining, and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction. Therefore, let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion!

In men, we various ruling passions find;
In women two almost divide the kind;
Those only fix'd, read more

In men, we various ruling passions find;
In women two almost divide the kind;
Those only fix'd, they first or last obey.
The love of pleasure, and the love of sway.

It is easier to exclude harmful passions than to rule them, and to deny them admittance than to control them read more

It is easier to exclude harmful passions than to rule them, and to deny them admittance than to control them after they have been admitted.

Where passion leads or prudence points the way.

Where passion leads or prudence points the way.

Filled with fury, rapt, inspir'd.

Filled with fury, rapt, inspir'd.

Jealousy would be far less torturous if we understood that love is a passion entirely unrelated to our merits.

Jealousy would be far less torturous if we understood that love is a passion entirely unrelated to our merits.

Passion is universal humanity. Without it religion, history, romance and art would be useless.

Passion is universal humanity. Without it religion, history, romance and art would be useless.

Fountain-heads and pathless groves,
Places which pale passion loves!

Fountain-heads and pathless groves,
Places which pale passion loves!