How sweet it would be to treat men and things, for an hour, for just what they are!

If all were as it seems, and men made the elements their servants for noble ends!

How prompt we are to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our bodies; how slow to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our souls!

I quietly declare war with the State, after my fashion, though I will still make use and get advantage of her as I can, as is usual in such cases.

As I love nature, as I love singing birds, and gleaming stubble, and flowing rivers, and morning and evening, and summer and winter, I love thee, my Friend.

There is no beginning too small.

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?