We are so fond of being out among nature, because it has no opinions about us.

The first opinion that occurs to us when we are suddenly asked about something is usually not our own but only the current one pertaining to our class, position, or parentage; our own opinions seldom swim on the surface.

Whatever the State saith is a lie; whatever it hath is a theft: all is counterfeit in it, the gnawing, sanguinary, insatiate monster.

Whoever has not two-thirds of his time to himself, is a slave.

In the true man there is a child concealed who wants to play.

Whoever writes in blood and aphorisms wants not to be learned but to be learned by heart.

From whatever you wish to know and measure you must take your leave, at least for a time. Only when you have left the town can yousee how high its towers rise above the houses.