Every nail driven should be as another rivet in the machine of the universe, you carrying on the work.

I am too easily contented with a slight and almost animal happiness. My happiness is a good deal like that of the woodchucks.

I am convinced that if all men were to live as simply as I then did, thieving and robbery would be unknown. These take place only in communities where some have got more than is sufficient while others have not enough.

The great poem must have the stamp of greatness as well as its essence.

The man who thrusts his manners upon me does as if he were to insist on introducing me to his cabinet of curiosities, when I wished to see himself.

In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the poor fellow who walks away with the greatest number of letters, proud of his extensive correspondence, has not heard from himself this long while.

I know of no redeeming qualities in myself but a sincere love for some things, and when I am reproved I fall back on to this ground.