Sublime

Thus the State never intentionally confronts a man’s sense, intellectual or moral, but only his body, his senses. It is not armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical strength. I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.

How can a man be a philosopher and not maintain his vital heat by better methods than other men?

What if all ponds were shallow? Would it not react on the minds of men? I am thankful that this pond was made deep and pure for a symbol. While men believe in the infinite some ponds will be thought to be bottomless.

disappointed. But I would say to my fellows, once for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.

Presque tout ce que mes voisins appellent le bien, je crois de toute mon âme que c’est le mal, et si je me repens de quelque chose c’est sans aucun doute de ma bonne conduite.

The soldier is applauded who refuses to serve in an unjust war by those who do not refuse to sustain the unjust government which makes the war; is applauded by those whose own act and authority he disregards and sets at naught; as if the state were penitent to that degree that it hired one to scourge it while it sinned, but not to that degree that

None can be an impartial or wise observer of human life but from the vantage ground of what we should call voluntary poverty.

I thus found that the student who wishes for a shelter can obtain one for a lifetime at an expense not greater than the rent which he now pays annually.

I would say, Persevere, even if the world call it doing evil, as it is most likely they will.