The more supple vagabond, too, is sure to appear on the least rumor of such a gathering, and the next day to disappear, and go into his hole like the seventeen-year locust, in an ever-shabby coat, though finer than the farmer's best, yet never dressed.... He especially is the creature of the occasion. He empties both his pockets and his character into the stream, and swims in such a day. He dearly loves the social slush. There is no reserve of soberness in him.

Though the words Canada East on the map stretch over many rivers and lakes and unexplored wildernesses, the actual Canada, which might be the colored portion of the map, is but a little clearing on the banks of the river, which one of those syllables would more than cover.

Every man looks at his wood-pile with a kind of affection.

I have thought there was some advantage even in death, by which we mingle with the herd of common men.

Water is a pioneer which the settler follows, taking advantage of its improvements.

Unless we do more than simply learn the trade of our time, we are but apprentices, and not yet masters of the art of life.

The Slothful do not have the time to become virtuous or despicable.