In the streets and in society I am almost invariably cheap…
“In the streets and in society I am almost invariably cheap and dissipated, my life is unspeakably mean. No amount of gold or respectability would in the least redeem it,-- dining with the Governor or a member of Congress!! But alone in the distant woods or fields, in unpretending sprout-lands or pastures tracked by rabbits, even in a bleak and, to most, cheerless day, like this, when a villager would be thinking of his inn, I come to myself, I once more feel myself grandly related, and that cold and solitude are friends of mine. I suppose that this value, in my case, is equivalent to what others get by churchgoing and prayer. I come home to my solitary woodland walk as the homesick go home. I thus dispose of the superfluous and see things as they are, grand and beautiful. I have told many that I walk every day about half the daylight, but I think they do not believe it. I wish to get the Concord, the Massachusetts, the America, out of my head and be sane a part of every day.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He finds solace in nature, contrasting societal wealth with the peace of solitude, equating it to spiritual practice.
In simple terms: Nature offers peace.
Key Takeaway
Seek solitude in nature.
Themes
solitude
nature
spirituality
Mood
tranquil
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- mental health
Key Concepts
selfreflection
environment
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does nature teach you?
- Can solitude replace organized religion?
A Different Perspective
Society may deem solitude odd.