Nothing more strikingly betrays the credulity of mankind than medicine. Quackery is a thing universal, and universally successful. In this case it becomes literally true that no imposition is too great for the credulity of men.
Henry David ThoreauThe West of which I speak is but another name for the Wild, and what I have been preparing to say is, that in Wildness is the preservation of the World
Henry David ThoreauI know of no redeeming qualities in myself but a sincere love for some things, and when I am reproved I fall back on to this ground.
Henry David ThoreauDuty is one and invariable; it requires no impossibilities, nor can it ever be disregarded with impunity.
Henry David ThoreauMen sometimes speak as if the study of the classics would at length make way for more modern and practical studies; but the adventurous student will always study classics, in whatever language they may be written and however ancient they may be. For what are the classics but the noblest recorded thoughts of man?... We might as well omit to study Nature because she is old.
Henry David Thoreau