Henry David Thoreau

The Artist is he who detects and applies the law from observation of the works of Genius, whether of man or Nature. The Artisan is he who merely applies the rules which others have detected.

The words which express our faith and piety are not definite; yet they are significant and fragrant like frankincense to superior natures.

We perceive and are affected by changes too subtle to be described.

After the first blush of sin comes its indifference.

I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.

One may discover a new side to his most intimate friend when for the first time he hears him speak in public. He will be stranger to him as he is more familiar to the audience. The longest intimacy could not foretell how he would behave then

You cannot dream yourself into a character you must hammer and forge yourself into one.

You must get your living by loving, or at least half your life is a failure.

A home without a cat-and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat-may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy.

We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.

For so many people, TV and movies may be the only way they understand people who aren’t like them. It becomes important for the world to see different images of each other, so that we can develop empathy and understanding.

Suspicion amongst thoughts are like bats amongst birds, they never fly by twilight.

It is only through labour and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage; that we move on to better things.

There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.

Why do you treat me as they do, as though I were exactly what I want to be. Why do we treat people that way?

The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it.

He does not care for flowers. Calls them rubbish, and cannot tell one from another, and thinks it is superior to feel like that.

Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.

You get a reputation for stability if you are stable for years.