Strange that so few ever come to the woods to see how the pine lives and grows and spires, lifting its evergreen arms to the light,--to see its perfect success; but most are content to behold it in the shape of many broad boards brought to market, and deem that its true success! But the pine is no more lumber than man is, and to be made into boards and houses is no more its true and highest use than the truest use of a man is to be cut down and made into manure.

If you can speak what you will never hear, if you can write what you will never read, you have done rare things.

I wish to learn what life has to teach, and not, when I come to die, discover that I have not truly lived.

I desire that there be as many different persons in the world as possible; I would have each one be very careful to find out and preserve his own way.

I have found it to be the most serious objection to coarse labors long continued, that they compelled me to eat and drink coarsely also.

As a man grows older, his ability to sit still and follow indoor occupations increases. He grows vespertinal in his habits as theevening of life approaches, till at last he comes forth only just before sundown, and gets all the walk that he requires in half an hour.

Everything counts for gain when we are cosmically awake. Nothing counts, unless we are awake. No enjoyments last, no successes satisfy, no gains have meaning unless accomplished in a state of wakefulness.