I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest. What force has a multitude? They can only force me who obey a higher law than I.... I do not hear of men being forced to live this way or that by masses of men. What sort of life were that to live?

To speak or do anything that shall concern mankind, one must speak and act as if well, or from that grain of health which he has left.

Commerce is unexpectedly confident and serene, alert, adventurous, and unwearied. It is very natural in its methods withal, far more so than many fantastic enterprises and sentimental experiments, and hence its singular success.

The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them. They are the highest reality.

Every man looks at his wood-pile with a kind of affection.

We do not enjoy poetry unless we know it to be poetry.

Cold and hunger seem more friendly to my nature than those methods which men have adopted and advise to ward them off.