A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
We find it difficult to choose our direction because it does not yet exist distinctly in our idea. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Of all ebriosity, who does not prefer to be intoxicated by the air he breathes? — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
What recommends commerce to me is its enterprise and bravery. It does not clasp its hands and pray to Jupiter. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
An efficient and valuable man does what he can, whether the community pay him for it or not. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
There is none who does not lie hourly in the respect he pays to false appearance. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Even the facts of science may dust the mind by their dryness, unless they are ... rendered fertile by the dews of… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Bread may not always nourish us; but it always does us good, it even takes stiffness out of our joints, and makes… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Nowadays the host does not admit you to his hearth, but has got the mason to build one for yourself somewhere in… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Love is no individual's experience; and though we are imperfect mediums, it does not partake of our imperfection; though we are finite,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Certainly, we do not need to be soothed and entertained always like children. He who resorts to the easy novel, because he… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The gold-digger is the enemy of the honest laborer, whatever checks and compensations there may be. It is not enough to tell… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
There may be something petty in a refined taste; it easily degenerates into effeminacy. It does not consider the broadest use. It… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I perceive that we inhabitants of New England live this mean life that we do because our vision does not penetrate the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The state does not demand justice of its members, but thinks that it succeeds very well with the least degree of it,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The principal, the only, thing a man makes, is his condition of fate. Though commonly he does not know it, nor put… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
A man's real faith is never contained in his creed, nor is his creed an article of his faith. The last is… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Trench says a wild man is a willed man. Well, then, a man of will who does what he wills or wishes,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Is it the lumberman, then, who is the friend and lover of the pine, stands nearest to it, and understands its nature… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
But it is fit that the Past should be dark; though the darkness is not so much a quality of the past… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
He is the best sailor who can steer within the fewest points of the wind, and extract a motive power out of… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Methinks some creeds in vestries and churches do forget the hunter wrapped in furs by the Great Slave Lake, and that the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
He is not a true man of science who does not bring some sympathy to his studies, and expect to learn something… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The millions are awake enough for physical labor; but only one in a million is awake enough for effective intellectual exertion, only… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
In war, in some sense, lies the very genius of law. It is law creative and active; it is the first principle… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I cannot but regard it as a kindness in those who have the steering of me that, by the want of pecuniary… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I keep a mountain anchored off eastward a little way, which I ascend in my dreams both awake and asleep. Its broad… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Compared with this simple, fibrous life, our civilized history appears the chronicle of debility, of fashion, and the arts of luxury. But… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Give me the old familiar walk, postoffice and all, with this ever new self, with this infinite expectation and faith, which does… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
“What avails it that another loves you, if he does not understand you? Such love is a curse.” — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
All expression of truth does at length take this deep ethical form. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The virtue of making two blades of grass grow where only one grew before does not begin to be superhuman. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Give me a country where it is the most natural thing in the world for a government that does not understand you… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Knowledge does not come to us in details, but in flashes of light from heaven. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“Men say they know many things; But lo! they have taken wings, — The arts and sciences, And a thousand appliances; The wind that… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“This spending of the best part of one's life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable liberty during the least valuable part of… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
A traveler who looks at things with an impartial eye may see what the oldest inhabitant has not observed. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
The still youthful energies of the globe have only to be directed in their proper channel. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
The lumberers rarely trouble themselves to put out their fires, such is the dampness of the primitive forest; and this is one cause, no… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“When he has obtained those things which are necessary to life, there is another alternative than to obtain the superfluities; and that is, to… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
Wealth is measured by the level of experience in all aspects of life — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
