I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least - and it is commonly more than that - sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.

The devil finds work for idle hands.

It is too late to be studying Hebrew; it is more important to understand even the slang of today.

In order to die, you must first have lived.

It is not so important that many should be good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump.

Since you are my readers, and I have not been much of a traveler, I will not talk about people a thousand miles off, but come as near home as I can. As the time is short, I will leave out all the flattery, and retain all the criticism.

Give me a country where it is the most natural thing in the world for a government that does not understand you to let you alone.