Henry David Thoreau

If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.

As for doing good that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good be good for something.

Be not simply good – be good for something.

Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.

A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.

Not only must we be good, but we must also be good for something.