Action and blood now get the game. Disdain treads on the peaceful name.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

A government, for protecting business only, is but a carcass, and soon falls by its own corruption and decay.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

All unrest is but the struggle of the soul to reassure herself of her inborn immortality.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

A true teacher defends his students against his own personal influences.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

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

Education is that process by which thought is opened out of the soul, and, associated with outward. . . Things, is reflected upon itself, and thus made conscious of its reality and shape. It is Self-Realization. As a means, therefore, of educating the soul out of itself, and mirroring forth its ideas, the external world offers the materials. This is the dim glass in which the senses are first called to display the soul, until, aided by the keener state of imagination. . . It separates those outward types of itself from their sensual connection, in its own bright mirror recognizes again itself, as a distinctive object in space and time, but out of it in existence, and painting itself upon these, as emblems of its inner and super-sensual life which no outward thing can fully portray. . . . A language is to be instituted between [the child’s] spirit and the surrounding scene of things in which he dwells. . . . He who is seeking to know himself, should be ever seeking himself in external things, and by so doing will he be best able to find, and explore his inmost light.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

First find the man in yourself if you will inspire manliness in others.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

Observation more than books and experience more than persons, are the prime educators.

— Amos Bronson Alcott

Our dreams drench us in sense, and sense steeps us again in dreams.

— Amos Bronson Alcott