No matter how much faculty of idle seeing a man has, the step from knowing to doing is rarely taken.

A little consideration of what takes place around us every day would show us that a higher law than that of our will regulates events; that our painful labors are unnecessary and fruitless; that only in our easy, simple, spontaneous action are we strong . . . . Place yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which animates all whom it floats, and you are without effort impelled to truth, to right, and a perfect contentment.

Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.

All the thoughts of a turtle are turtle

Society, to be sure, does not like this very well; it saith, Whoso goes to walk alone, accuses the whole world; he declares all to be unfit to be his companions; it is very uncivil, nay, insulting; Society will retaliate.

A system-grinder hates the truth.

When duty whispers low, Thou must, The youth replies, I can.