I judge people by what they might be,—not are, nor will be.

More from A Soul's Tragedy (1846)

• Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?
• A minute’s success pays the failure of years.
• Autumn wins you best by this its mute Appeal to sympathy for its decay.
• Brightest truth, purest trust in the universe, — all were for me
• Deeds let escape are never to be done.
• Error has no end.