You must walk sometimes perfectly free, not prying or inquisitive, not bent on seeing things. Throw away a whole day for a single expansion, a single inspiration of air. You must walk so gently as to hear the finest sounds, the faculties being in repose. Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.

I would fain keep sober always; and there are infinite degrees of drunkenness.

As if there were safety in stupidity alone

The first sparrow of spring! The year beginning with younger hope than ever!

The constant abrasion and decay of our lives makes the soil of our future growth.

What is morality but immemorial custom? Conscience is the chief of conservatives.

I know a good woman who thinks that her son lost his life because he took to drinking water only.