We are slow to realize water, —the beauty and magic of it. It is interestingly strange to us forever. Immortal water, alive even in the superficies, … - Henry David Thoreau

I take infinite pains to know all the phenomena of the spring, for instance, thinking that I have here the entire poem, and then, to my chagrin, I hear that it is but an imperfect copy that I possess and have read, that my ancestors have torn out many of the first leaves and grandest passages, and mutilated it in many places.

How often must one feel, as he looks back on his past life, that he has gained a talent but lost a character!

You ask particularly after my health. I suppose that I have not many months to live; but, of course, I know nothing about it. I may add that I am enjoying existence as much as ever, and regret nothing.