Like speaks to like only; labor to labor, philosophy to philosophy, criticism to criticism, poetry to poetry. Literature speaks how much still to the past, how little to the future, how much to the East, how little to the West.

Death is beautiful when seen to be a law, and not an accident. It is as common as life.

In the wilderness is the salvation of the world.

It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes.

When any real progress is made, we unlearned and learn anew what we thought we knew before.

For hours, in fall days, I watched the ducks cunningly tack and veer and hold the middle of the pond, far from the sportsman;... but what beside safety they got by sailing in the middle of Walden I do not know, unless they love its water for the same reason that I do.

The repugnance to animal food is not the effect of experience, but is an instinct. It appeared more beautiful to live low and farehard in many respects; and though I never did so, I went far enough to please my imagination.