Spoons and skimmers you can be undistinguishably together; but vases and statues require each a pedestal for itself.

If government knew how, I should like to see it check, not multiply, the population. When it reaches its true law of action, every man that is born will be hailed as essential.

Whilst the rights of all as persons are equal, in virtue of their access to reason, their rights in property are very unequal. Oneman owns his clothes, and another owns a country.

We love force and we care very little how it is exhibited.

The book written against fame and learning has the author's name on the title-page.

[on Thoreau:] For not a particle of respect had he to the opinions of any man or body of men, but homage solely to truth itself.

I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names, to large societies and dead institutions.