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
absolutely actual bored commonly confined confusion elements essential far few greater harmony ignorance infer infinite knew law laws mountain nature notions number outline particular points result results scientists seemingly though varies
If we knew all the laws of Nature, we should need only one fact, or the description of one actual phenomenon, to infer all the particular results at that point. Now we know only a few laws, and our result is vitiated, not, of course, by any confusion or irregularity in Nature, but by our ignorance of essential elements in the calculation. Our notions of law and harmony are commonly confined to those instances which we detect; but the harmony which results from a far greater number of seemingly conflicting, but really concurring, laws, which we have not detected, is still more wonderful. The particular laws are as our points of view, as, to the traveler, a mountain outline varies with every step, and it has an infinite number of profiles, though absolutely but one form. Even when cleft or bored through it is not comprehended in its entireness.
elements born-again traveler
The traveler must be born again on the road, and earn a passport from the elements.
optimism elements matter
I have found all things thus far, persons and inanimate matter, elements and seasons, strangely adapted to my resources.
education school elements
The schools begin with what they call the elements, and where do they end?
cultivate desirable law law-and-lawyers respect
It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for law, so much as a respect for right.
cultivate desirable respect
It is not so desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right
dreams life truest
Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake.
capacities judge nor
Man's capacities have never been measured; nor are we to judge of what he can do by any precedent, so little has been tried.
effort fall lie men talking
Men will lie on their backs, talking about the fall of man, and never make an effort to get up
breathe drink influences resign season taste
Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.
dozen exactly five half might miles particular visited
I often visited a particular plant four or five miles distant, half a dozen times within a fortnight, that I might know exactly when it opened.
I cannot read a single word of the Hindoos without being elevated.
life marrow
I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartanlike as to put to rout all that was not life.
grateful thanksgiving
I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.