In our most trivial walks, we are constantly, though unconsciously, steering like pilots by certain well-known beacons and headlands, and if we go beyond our usual course we still carry in our minds the bearing of some neighboring cape; and not till we are completely lost, or turned round,--for a man needs only to be turned round once with his eyes shut in this world to be lost,--do we appreciate the vastness and strangeness of nature.

But they who are unconcerned about the consequences of their actions are not therefore unconcerned about their actions.

My enemies are worms, cool days, and most of all woodchucks.

Really to see the sun rise or go down every day, so to relate ourselves to a universal fact, would preserve us sane forever.

What an admirable training is science for the more active warfare of life! Indeed, the unchallenged bravery which these studies imply, is far more impressive than the trumpeted valor of the warrior.

The greater number of men are merely corporals.

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