Shall I not rejoice also at the abundance of the weeds whose seeds are the granary of the birds?

It is not part of a true culture to tame tigers, any more than it is to make sheep ferocious.

You cannot receive a shock unless you have an electric affinity for that which shocks you.

The books for young people say a great deal about the selection of Friends; it is because they really have nothing to say about Friends. They mean associates and confidants merely.

If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators in Congress for our guidance, uncorrected by the seasonal experience and the effectual complaints of the people, America would not long retain her rank among the nations.

Nature seemed to have adorned herself for our departure with a profusion of fringes and curls, mingled with the bright tints of flowers, reflected in the water. But we missed the white water-lily, which is the queen of river flowers, its reign being over for this season.... Many of this species inhabit our Concord water.

The news we hear, for the most part, is not news to our genius. It is the stalest repetition.