As I came home through the woods with my string of fish, trailing my pole, it being now quite dark, I caught a glimpse of a woodchuck stealing across my path, and felt a strange thrill of savage delight, and was strongly tempted to seize and devour him raw; not that I was hungry then, except for that wildness which he represented.

We perceive and are affected by changes too subtle to be described.

In what concerns you much, do not think that you have companions: know that you are alone in the world.

But the impressions which the morning makes vanish with its dews, and not even the most "persevering mortal" can preserve the memory of its freshness to midday.

To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it.

I could lecture on dry oak leaves; I could, but who would hear me? If I were to try it on any large audience, I fear it would be no gain to them, and a positive loss to me. I should have behaved rudely toward my rustling friends.

But men labor under a mistake. The better part of the man is soon plowed into the soil for compost.