In those days, when my hands were much employed, I read but little, but the least scraps of paper which lay on the ground, my holder, or tablecloth, afforded me as much entertainment, in fact answered the same purpose as the Iliad.

Spring. March fans it, April christens it, and May puts on its jacket and trousers.

Nature seemed to have adorned herself for our departure with a profusion of fringes and curls, mingled with the bright tints of flowers, reflected in the water. But we missed the white water-lily, which is the queen of river flowers, its reign being over for this season.... Many of this species inhabit our Concord water.

One man lies in his words, and gets a bad reputation; another in his manners, and enjoys a good one.

Love is the profoundest of secrets. Divulged, even to the beloved, it is no longer Love. As if it were merely I that loved you. When love ceases, then it is divulged.

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

To say that a man is your Friend means commonly no more than this, that he is not your enemy.