Quotes

When you set about any action, remind yourself of what nature the action is.

To realize one’s nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for.

Let whatever appears to be the best be to you an inviolable law.

All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy, and all great things from one in which they were small.

We all work to one effect, some willingly, and with a rational apprehension of what we do: others without any such knowledge.

You will soon love what is dictated by your nature as well as mine, and, if we follow the truth, it will bring us out safe at last.

The way lies before us, we must turn to the right or left; and he who will pass life away in bounding from one pleasure to another, must not complain if he neither acquires wisdom nor respectability of character.

We call this hill the Delectable Mountain, for we can look far away and see the country where we hope to live some time.

We now began to feel a degree of safety, and to prepare ourselves for the duties and responsibilities of a life of freedom.

I have known so few ways of making my life good for anything.

It was only half a dozen little fairy tales, but Jo had worked over them patiently, putting her whole heart into her work, hoping to make something good enough to print.

Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour.

But all the good of nature is the soul's, and may be had, if paid for in nature's lawful coin, that is, by labor which the heart and the head allow.

It is enough if everyone fully performs his own proper business.

It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.

The narrow path of truth and virtue inclines neither to the right nor left, it is a straight-forward business, and they who are earnestly pursuing their road, may bound over many decorous prejudices, without leaving modesty behind.

Be content, then, in everything, with being a philosopher; and if you wish to seem so likewise to anyone, appear so to yourself, and it will suffice you.

The law of nature is, Do the thing, and you shall have the power: but they who do not the thing have not the power.