The path of least resistance leads to crooked rivers and crooked men.

It is for no particular item in the tax-bill that I refuse to pay it. I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the State, to withdrawand stand aloof from it effectually. I do not care to trace the course of my dollar, if I could, till it buys a man or a musket to shoot one with,--the dollar is innocent,--but I am concerned to trace the effects of my allegiance. In fact, I quietly declare war with the State, after my fashion, though I will still make what use and get what advantage of her I can, as is usual in such cases.

When the true criminals are running around free, the only honorable place for a decent human being is in prisons.

The only sin in the world is ignorance.

To speak or do anything that shall concern mankind, one must speak and act as if well, or from that grain of health which he has left.

Winter is the time for study, you know, and the colder it is the more studious we are.

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.