In civilization, as in a southern latitude, man degenerates at length, and yields to the incursion of more northern tribes.

'Tis healthy to be sick sometimes.

Unto a life which I call natural I would gladly follow even a will-o'-the-wisp through bogs and sloughs unimaginable, but no moonnor firefly has shown me the causeway to it.

If the alternative is to keep all just men in prison, or give up war and slavery, the State will not hesitate which to choose.

Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.

Whatever has not come under the sway of man is wild. In this sense original and independent men are wild - not tamed and broken by society.

I do not know where to find in any literature, whether ancient or modern, any adequate account of that Nature with which I am acquainted.