I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
The extraordinary Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862), who among his many interests was a philosopher, abolitionist and historian.
Alex Raphael 
One of my favorites from Thoreau.
He had quite a collection didn’t he? 🙂
I have had a great respect for Thoreau ever since I was a student. Looking at this picture now, I have to note that his beard looks curiously unreal 😀
If you had met him I can totally picture you as the kind of person who would check if it was real haha.
😀 your guess is right 😆