I do detest all offices - all, at least, that are held on a political tenure.

It is remarkable, that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most perfect quietude to the external regulations of society. The thoughts alone suffice them, without investing itself in the flesh and blood of action.

The trees reflected in the river - they are unconscious of a spiritual world so near to them. So are we.

Those with whom we can apparently become well acquainted in a few moments are generally the most difficult to rightly know and to understand.

Easy reading is damn hard writing.

Technologies of easy travel give us wings; they annihilate the toil and dust of pilgrimage; they spiritualize travel! Transition being so facile, what can be any man's inducement to tarry in one spot?

Last night, there came a frost, which has done great damage to my garden.... It is sad that Nature will play such tricks on us poor mortals, inviting us with sunny smiles to confide in her, and then, when we are entirely within her power, striking us to the heart.