Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreauwas an American essayist, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, and historian. A leading transcendentalist, Thoreau is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay Resistance to Civil Government, an argument for disobedience to an unjust state...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionAuthor
Date of Birth12 July 1817
CountryUnited States of America
get-well men rights
Somehow strangely the vice of men gets well represented and protected but their virtue has none to plead its cause - nor any charter of immunities and rights.
practice wish transcendentalism
I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary.
learning light soul
With all your science can you tell me how it is, and when it is, that light comes into the soul?
humility light darkness
Do not seek so anxiously to be developed, to subject yourself to many influences to be played on; it is all dissipation. Humility like darkness reveals the heavenly lights.
afterlife world earth
Asked whether or not he believed in an afterlife, Thoreau quipped, "One world at a time."
men views attention
I do not value any view of the universe into which man and the institutions of man enter very largely and absorb much of the attention. Man is but the place where I stand, and the prospect hence is infinite.
sloth laziness virtuous
The Slothful do not have the time to become virtuous or despicable.
solitude glorious
I have lately got back to that glorious society called Solitude.
encouragement strong distance
Ah! I need solitude. I have come forth to this hill at sunset to see the forms of the mountains in the horizon - to behold and commune with something grander than man. Their mere distance and unprofanedness is an infinite encouragement. it is with infinite yearning and aspiration that I seek solitude, more and more resolved and strong; but with a certain weakness that I seek society ever.
names two solitude
I thrive best on solitude. If I have had a companion only one day in a week, unless it were one or two I could name, I find that the value of the week to me has been seriously affected. It dissipates my days, and often it takes me another week to get over it.
squares solitude would-be
It would be better if there were but one inhabitant to a square mile, as where I live.
regret
To regret deeply is to live afresh.
good-things dear
All good things are cheap: all bad are very dear.
honesty mean men
Absolutely speaking, Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you is by no means a golden rule, but the best of current silver. An honest man would have but little occasion for it. It is golden not to have any rule at all in such a case.