As we refine, our checks become finer. If we rise to spiritual culture, the antagonism takes a spiritual form.

...in the wilderness, I find something more dear and connate than in the streets or villages...in the woods we return to reason and faith.

God enters by a private door into every individual.

I do not see how a barbarous community and a civilized community can constitute a state. I think we must get rid of slavery or we must get rid of freedom.

Any work looks wonderful to me except the one which I can do.

The worst feature of this double consciousness is, that the two lives, of the understanding and of the soul, which we lead, reallyshow very little relation to each other; never meet and measure each other: one prevails now, all buzz and din; and the other prevails then, all infinitude and paradise; and, with the progress of life, the two discover no greater disposition to reconcile themselves.

Sincerity is the highest complement you can pay