When I meet a government which says to me, "Your money or your life," why should I be in haste to give it my money?

If you're familiar with a principle you don't have to be familiar with all of its applications.

One piece of good sense would be more memorable than a monument as high as the moon.

Yet some can be patriotic who have no self-respect, and sacrifice the greater to the less. They love the soil which makes their graves, but have no sympathy with the spirit which may still animate their clay. Patriotism is a maggot in their heads.

I have a deep sympathy with war; it so apes the gait and bearing of the soul.

Cast your whole vote, not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence. A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight.... If a thousand men were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood. This is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable revolution, if any such is possible.

The poet is blithe and cheery ever, and as well as nature.