The mass never comes up to the standard of its best member, but on the contrary degrades itself to a level with the lowest.
Henry David ThoreauYou may tell by looking at any twig of the forest, ay, at your very wood-pile, whether its winter is past or not.
Henry David ThoreauWho could believe in the prophecies ... that the world would end this summer, while one milkweed with faith matured its seeds.
Henry David ThoreauThe chimney is to some extent an independent structure, standing on the ground, and rising through the house to the heavens; evenafter the house is burned it still stands sometimes, and its importance and independence are apparent.
Henry David ThoreauMust the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right... Law never made men a whit more just; and, by means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made the agents of injustice.
Henry David Thoreau