I hardly know an intellectual man, even, who is so broad and truly liberal that you can think aloud in his society.
In wildness is the preservation of the world.
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.
Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.
A living dog is better than a dead lion.
Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul.
If a thousand [citizens] were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood. This is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable revolution, if any such is possible.
I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe — "That government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.
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 them at once?
Any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one.