I am no more lonely than a single mullein or dandelion in a pasture, or a bean leaf, or sorrel, or a horse-fly, or a bumblebee. I am no more lonely than the Mill Brook, or a weathercock, or the north star, or the south wind, or an April shower, or a January thaw, or the first spider in a new house.

It is surprising how many great men and women a small house will contain.

Many college text-books, which were a weariness and stumbling-block when I studied, I have since read a little with pleasure and profit.

The savage in man is never quite eradicated.

The young pines springing up in the corn-fields from year to year are to me a refreshing fact.

The civilized man is a more experienced and wiser savage.

Ice is an interesting subject for contemplation. They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond five years old which was as good as ever. Why is it that a bucket of water soon becomes putrid, but frozen remains sweet forever? It is commonly said that this is the difference between the affections and the intellect.