Nature will not be Buddhist: she resents generalizing, and insults the philosopher in every moment with a million fresh particulars.

Could Shakespeare give a theory of Shakespeare?

Every day brings a ship, Every ship brings a word; Well for those who have no fear, Looking seaward well assured That the word the vessel brings Is the word they wish to hear.

[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.

The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence. Nature never wears a mean appearance. Neither does the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection. Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit. The flowers, the animals, the mountains, reflected the wisdom of his best hour, as much as they had delighted the simplicity of his childhood.

Experience is the only teacher, and we get his lesson indifferently in any school.

Truth is always present; it only needs to lift the iron lids of the mind's eye to read its oracles.