"

I have spent many an hour, when I was younger, floating over its surface as the zephyr willed, having paddled my boat to the middle, and lying on my b...more

"

I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

"

Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as afte...more

"

In my afternoon walk I would fain forget all my morning occupations and my obligations to society.

"

I have an immense appetite for solitude, like an infant for sleep, and if I don't get enough for this year, I shall cry all the next.

"

Society is commonly too cheap. We meet at very short intervals not having had time to acquire any new value for each other. We meet at meals three ti...more

"

The ways by which you may get your money almost without exception lead downward. To have done anything by which you earn money 'merely' is to be truly...more

"

Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress...more

"

As some heads cannot carry much wine, so it would seem that I cannot bear so much society as you can. I have an immense appetite for solitude, like an...more

"

The doctors are all agreed that I am suffering from want of society. Was never a case like it. First, I did not know that I was suffering at all. Seco...more

"

I have spent many an hour, when I was younger, floating over its surface as the zephyr willed, having paddled my boat to the middle, and lying on my b...more

"

I see young men, my townsmen, whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, houses, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acqu...more

"

A man thinking or working will always be alone, let him be where he will.

"

But, wherever a man goes, men will pursue and paw him with their dirty institutions, and, if they can, constrain him to belong to their desperate odd-...more

"

Society is commonly too cheap. We meet at very short intervals, not having had time to acquire any new value for each other.We meet at meals three tim...more