He decided to give up his large ambition of knowledge and action for any narrow craft or profession, aiming at a much more comprehensive calling, the art of living.

I may say it of our preposterous use of books,--He knew not what to do, and so he read.

Now that is the wisdom of a man, in every instance of his labor, to hitch his wagon to a star, and see his chore done by the gods themselves. That is the way we are strong, by borrowing the might of the elements. The forces of steam, gravity, galvanism, light, magnets, wind, fire, serve us day by day and cost us nothing.

The "times," "the age" what is that, but a few profound persons and a few active persons who epitomize the times?

No man acquires property without acquiring with it a little arithmetic also.

It is easy to see that what is best written or done by genius in the world, was no man's work but came by wide social labor, whena thousand wrought like one, sharing the same impulse.

Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events.