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
simple men animal
I learned from my two years' experience that it would cost incredibly little trouble to obtain one's necessary food; that a man may use as simple a diet as the animals, and yet retain health and strength.
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
abroad among companion found lonely man men stay thinking
I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will.
entire fishing knowing lives men purpose
Many men go fishing their entire lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.
men tools
But lo! men have become the tools of their tools.
aim fail hit men though
In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high.
central men nearer science truth
Men are probably nearer the central truth in their superstitions than in their science
priest support taxed
I did not see why the schoolmaster should be taxed to support the priest, and not the priest the schoolmaster
flowers fragrance greet immortal life nature night
If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more starry, more immortal -- that is your success. All nature is your congratulation . . .
earnest explore infinitely land learn mysterious mystery require sea time
At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be infinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable.
beware clothes require
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
conforming conformity high life living opinion
As to conforming outwardly, and living your own life inwardly, I have not a very high opinion of that course.
cultivate desirable respect
It is not so desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right
brute deal deep fields hungry spirits stormy walks weather
Take long walks in stormy weather or through deep snows in the fields andwoods, if you would keep your spirits up. Deal with brute nature. Be coldand hungry and weary.