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?

I could lecture on dry oak leaves; I could, but who would hear me? If I were to try it on any large audience, I fear it would be no gain to them, and a positive loss to me. I should have behaved rudely toward my rustling friends.

It would be better if there were but one inhabitant to a square mile, as where I live.

Shall a man not have his spring as well as the plants?

One revelation has been made to the Indian, another to the white man.

You must speak loud to those who are hard of hearing.

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