Skip to content

The wildest dreams of wild men, even, are not the less…

“The wildest dreams of wild men, even, are not the less true, though they may not recommend themselves to the sense which is most common among Englishmen and Americans to-day. It is not every truth that recommends itself to the common sense. Nature has a place for the wild clematis as well as for…” quote by Henry David Thoreau
Download Open image
“The wildest dreams of wild men, even, are not the less true, though they may not recommend themselves to the sense which is most common among Englishmen and Americans to-day. It is not every truth that recommends itself to the common sense. Nature has a place for the wild clematis as well as for the cabbage. Some expressions of truth are reminiscent,--others merely sensible, as the phrase is,--others prophetic.”

Henry David Thoreau

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Unconventional ideas may be true yet ignored; truth isn’t always aligned with common sense.

In simple terms: Truth can be odd and not widely accepted.

Key Takeaway

Value insights that challenge mainstream views.

Themes

truth common sense individuality

Mood

contemplative inquisitive

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • scientific discovery
  • artistic expression
  • social reform
  • personal belief formation

Key Concepts

philosophy cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • When have you trusted an unpopular truth?
  • How do you discern valuable unconventional ideas?
A Different Perspective

Unpopular truths may face resistance and misunderstanding.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Henry David Thoreau

Explore all 3,376 Henry David Thoreau quotes

More Cabbage quotes

Browse all 128 Cabbage quotes