Thoreau writes in his journal:
I observe a truly wise practice on every hand, in education, in religion, and the morals of society,—enough embodied wisdom to have set up many an ancient philosopher.
This society, if it were a person to be met face to face, would not only be tolerated but courted, with its so impressive experience and admirable acquaintance with things.
Consider society at any epoch, and who does not see that heresy has already prevailed in it?