Hail! Independence, hail! Heaven's next best gift,
To that of life and an immortal soul!

Hail! Independence, hail! Heaven's next best gift,
To that of life and an immortal soul!

. . . but while
I breathe Heaven's air, and Heaven looks down on me,
And smiles read more

. . . but while
I breathe Heaven's air, and Heaven looks down on me,
And smiles at my best meanings, I remain
Mistress of mine own self and mine own soul.

You have to do it yourself, no one else will do it for you. You must work out your own read more

You have to do it yourself, no one else will do it for you. You must work out your own salvation.

It's easy to be independent when you've got money. But to be independent when you haven't got a thing -- read more

It's easy to be independent when you've got money. But to be independent when you haven't got a thing -- that's the Lord's test.

The price for independence is often isolation and solitude.

The price for independence is often isolation and solitude.

The man least dependent upon the morrow goes to meet the morrow most cheerfully

The man least dependent upon the morrow goes to meet the morrow most cheerfully

for those who would joyously march in rank and file, they have already earned my contempt, for they were given read more

for those who would joyously march in rank and file, they have already earned my contempt, for they were given a large brain by accident when a spinal chord would have sufficed.

I'll never
Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand
As is a man were author read more

I'll never
Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand
As is a man were author of himself
And knew no other kin.

Independence is essential for permanent but fatal to immediate success.

Independence is essential for permanent but fatal to immediate success.