I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.

If you see a man approaching with the obvious intent of doing you good, run for your life.

City life: millions of people being lonesome together.

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

Take long walks in stormy weather or through deep snow in the fields and woods, if you would keep your spirits up. Deal with brute nature. Be cold and hungry and weary.

One of the attractive things about flowers is their magnificent reserve.

A man may esteem himself happy when that which is his food is also his medicine.

Be not simply good; be good for something.

Measure your health by your sympathy with morning and spring.

It is a great art to saunter.