In the planting of the seeds of most trees, the best gardeners do no more than follow Nature, though they may not know it.

The Fitchburg Railroad touches the pond about a hundred rods south of where I dwell. I usually go to the village along its causeway, and am, as it were, related to society by this link. The men on the freight trains, who go over the whole length of the road, bow to me as to an old acquaintance, they pass me so often, and apparently they take me for an employee; and so I am. I too would fain be a track-repairer somewhere in the orbit of the earth.

We are the subjects of an experiment which is not a little interesting to me.

No domain of nature is quite closed to man at all times.

He may travel who can subsist on the wild fruits and game of the most cultivated country.

There they lived on, those New England people, farmer lives, father and grandfather and great-grandfather, on and on without noise, keeping up tradition, and expecting, beside fair weather and abundant harvests, we did not learn what. They were contented to live, since it was so contrived for them, and where their lines had fallen.

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.