The universe constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions; whether we travel fast or slow, the track is laid for us.

The repugnance to animal food is not the effect of experience, but is an instinct. It appeared more beautiful to live low and farehard in many respects; and though I never did so, I went far enough to please my imagination.

The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.

As in geology, so in social institutions, we may discover the causes of all past changes in the present invariable order of society.

All misfortune is but a stepping stone to fortune.

The humblest observer who goes to the mines sees and says that gold-digging is of the character of a lottery; the gold thus obtained is not the same thing with the wages of honest toil. But, practically, he forgets what he has seen, for he has seen only the fact, not the principle, and goes into trade there, that is, buys a ticket in what commonly proves another lottery, where the fact is not so obvious.

The artist and his work are not to be separated. The most willfully foolish man cannot stand aloof from his folly, but the deed and the doer together make ever one sober fact.