Henry David Thoreau

Many of the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king described as a rude and boisterous tyrant; but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer.

After the first blush of sin comes its indifference.

All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong.

Make the most of your regrets; never smother your sorrow, but tend and cherish it till it comes to have a separate and integral interest. To regret deeply is to live afresh.

Goodness is the only investment that never fails.

All misfortune is but a stepping stone to fortune.

Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased at a lesser price.

If you and I are having a single thought of violence or hatred against anyone in the world at this moment, we are contributing to the wounding of the world.

If you value a man’s regard, strive with him. As to liking, you like your newspaper – and despise it.

The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough.

Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.

I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government rather than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.

If you have nothing to say, say nothing.

Recognize the ego for what it is: a collective dysfunction, the insanity of the human mind.

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you’re still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position.

It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.

Do that which is assigned to you and you cannot hope too much or dare too much.

Wisdom has its root in goodness, not goodness its root in wisdom.

The one who prosperity takes too much delight in will be the most shocked by reverses.

The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.

The public must and will be served.