Walden

by Henry David Thoreau

To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust. It is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically.

to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and future, which is precisely the present moment;

The life which men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?

Kings and queens who wear a suit but once, though made by some tailor or dressmaker to their majesties, cannot know the comfort of wearing a suit that fits.