I perceive that we inhabitants of New England live this mean life that we do because our vision does not penetrate the surface ofthings. We think that that is which appears to be.

It [is of] some advantage to live a primitive and frontier life, though in the midst of an outward civilization, if only to learn what are the gross necessities of life.

A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority.

Expect no trivial truth from me, unless I am on the witness- stand. I will come as near to lying as you can drive a coach and four.

When a dog runs at you, whistle for him.

The life without men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?

There is no more fatal blunderer than he who consumes the greater part of his life getting his living.