There is virtue in country houses, in gardens and orchards, in fields, streams and groves, in rustic recreations and plain manners, that neither cities nor universities enjoy. Amos Bronson Alcott More Quotes by Amos Bronson Alcott More Quotes From Amos Bronson Alcott Fullness is always quiet; agitation will answer for empty vessels only. Amos Bronson Alcott empty-vessels agitation answers The best teachers don't allow their own personal views to influence their teaching. Amos Bronson Alcott teaching views teacher One must be rich in thought and character to owe nothing to books, though preparation is necessary to profitable reading; and the less reading is better than more;--book-struck men are of all readers least wise, however knowing or learned. Amos Bronson Alcott reading wise book The eyes have a property in things and territories not named in any title-deeds, and are the owners of our choicest possessions. Amos Bronson Alcott titles eye deeds The head best leaves to the heart what the heart alone divines. Amos Bronson Alcott divine heart Time ripens the substance of a life as the seasons mellow and perfect its fruits. The best apples fall latest and keep longest. Amos Bronson Alcott apples time fall Civilization degrades many in order to exalt the few. Amos Bronson Alcott degrade civilization order Devotees of grammatical studies have not been distinguished for any very remarkable felicities of expression Amos Bronson Alcott grammar study expression Heaven trims our lamps while we sleep. Amos Bronson Alcott lamps sleep heaven Books are the most mannerly of companions, accessible at all times, in all moods, frankly declaring the author's mind, without offense. Amos Bronson Alcott reading mind book Opposition strengthens the manly will. Amos Bronson Alcott manly opposition Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps. Amos Bronson Alcott garden eden desire The traveled mind is the catholic mind educated from exclusiveness and egotism. Amos Bronson Alcott catholic mind travel One's outlook is a part of his virtue. Amos Bronson Alcott outlook virtue Civilization degrades the many to exalt the few. Amos Bronson Alcott degrade civilization Divination seems heightened and raised to its highest power in woman. Amos Bronson Alcott raised women appreciation Creeds, like other goods, pass by inheritance to descendants. Amos Bronson Alcott inheritance creeds belief One cannot celebrate books sufficiently. After saying his best, still something better remains to be spoken in their praise. As with friends, one finds new beauties at every interview, and would stay long in the presence of those choice companions. As with friends, he may dispense with a wide acquaintance. Few and choice. The richest minds need not large libraries. Amos Bronson Alcott choices long book Of books in our time the variety is so voluminous, and they follow so fast from the press, that one must be a swift reader to acquaint himself even with their titles, and wise to discern what are worth reading. Amos Bronson Alcott reading wise book Of gifts, there seems none more becoming to offer a friend than a beautiful book. Amos Bronson Alcott becoming beautiful book