Quotations by Henry David Thoreau

What should we think of the shepherd’s life if his flocks always wandered to higher pastures than his thoughts?

Henry David Thoreau · Walden

He who gives himself entirely to his fellow-men appears to them useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them is pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden

Olympus is but the outside of the earth everywhere.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

It is life near the bone where it is sweetest.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Public opinion is a weak tyrant compared with our own private opinion. What a man thinks of himself, that it is which determines, or rather indicates, his fate.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

The universe is wider than our views of it.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

A goose is a goose still, dress it as you will.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

The day is an epitome of the year. The night is the winter, the morning and evening are the spring and fall, and the noon is the summer.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready, and it may be a long time before they get off.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

As for doing good, that is one of the professions which are full.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

We may waive just so much care of ourselves as we honestly bestow elsewhere.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Read your fate, see what is before you, and walk on into futurity.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Often if an accident happens to a gentleman's legs, they can be mended; but if a similar accident happens to the legs of his pantaloons, there is no help for it; for he considers, not what is truly respectable, but what is respected.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

No man loses ever on a lower level by magnanimity on a higher. Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only. Money is not required to buy one necessary of the soul.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who are to inhabit them. It has created palaces, but it was not so easy to create noblemen and kings.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Our whole life is startlingly moral. There is never an instant's truce between virtue and vice. Goodness is the only investment that never fails. In the music of the harp which trembles round the world it is the insisting on this which thrills us.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Philanthropy is almost the only virtue which is sufficiently appreciated by mankind.

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience