When a man's conscience and the laws clash, it is his conscience that he must follow.
Henry David Thoreauif i repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. what demon possessed me that i behaved so well?
Henry David ThoreauAn Englishman, methinks,--not to speak of other European nations,--habitually regards himself merely as a constituent part of theEnglish nation; he is a member of the royal regiment of Englishmen, and is proud of his company, as he has reason to be proud of it. But an American--one who has made tolerable use of his opportunities--cares, comparatively, little about such things, and is advantageously nearer to the primitive and the ultimate condition of man in these respects.
Henry David Thoreau