If rightly made, a boat would be a sort of amphibious animal, a creature of two elements, related by one half its structure to some swift and shapely fish, and by the other to some strong-winged and graceful bird.

The rich man is always sold to the institution which makes him rich. Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue.

You must converse much with the field and the woods if you would imbibe such health into your mind and spirit as you covet for your body

If private men are obliged to perform the offices of government, to protect the weak and dispense justice, then the government becomes only a hired man, or clerk, to perform menial or indifferent services.

Our life is frittered away by detail. An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!

Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.