Seat thyself sultanically among the moons of Saturn, and take high abstracted man alone; and he seems a wonder, a grandeur, and a woe. But from that same point, take mankind in mass, and for the most part, they seem a mob of unnecessary duplicates, both contemporary and hereditary.

Is Ahab, Ahab? Is it I, God, or who, that lifts this arm? But if the great sun move not of himself; but is an errand-boy in heaven; nor one single star can revolve, but by some invisible power; how then can this one small heart beat; this one small brain think thoughts; unless God does that beating, does that thinking, does that living, and not I.

Let me look into a human eye; it is better than to gaze into sea or sky; better than to gaze upon God.

Aye, aye! and I'll chase him round Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perdition's flames before I give him up.

I could...see in Emerson...that had he lived in those days when the world was made, he might have offered some valuable suggestions.

for there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men

It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him.