the Thoreau Log.

24 March 1842. Concord, Mass.

Thoreau writes in his journal:

  Those authors are successful who do not write down to others, but make their own taste and judgment their audience. By some strange infatuation we forget that we do not approve what yet we recommend to others. It is enough if I please myself with writing; I am then sure of an audience.

(Journal, 1:345-347)