If you aspire to anything better than politics, expect no cooperation from men. They will not further anything good. You must prevail of your own force, as a plant springs and grows by its own vitality.—Journal, 3 April 1858
In my afternoon walk I would fain forget all my morning occupations and my obligations to society.—"Walking"
In my short experience of human life I have found that the outward obstacles which stood in my way were not living men but dead institutions.—Journal, 20 June 1846
In short, all good things are wild and free.—"Walking"
In short, as a snow-drift is formed where there is a lull in the wind, so, one would say, where there is a lull of truth, an institution springs up.—"Life without Principle"
Is it a freedom to be slaves or a freedom to be free, of which  we boast?—Journal, 15 February 1851
Is it not possible that an individual may be right and a government wrong?—"A Plea for Captain John Brown"
It is a strange age of the world this, when empires, kingdoms, and republics come a-begging to our doors and utter their complaints at our elbows.—Journal, 17 November 1850
It is for no particular item in the tax-bill that I refuse to pay it. I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the State, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually.—"Civil Disobedience"
It is hard to have a Southern overseer; it is worse to have a Northern one; but worst of all when you are yourself the slave-driver.—Journal, 1845-47
All quotation categories  

Donation

$