A thrumming of piano-strings beyond the gardens and through the elms. At length the melody steals into my being. I know not… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Men nowhere, east or west, live yet a natural life, round which the vine clings, and which the elm willingly shadows. Man… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Every wild apple shrub excites our expectation thus, somewhat as every wild child. It is, perhaps, a prince in disguise. What a… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
When the leaves fall, the whole earth is a cemetery pleasant to walk in. I love to wander and muse over them… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
When the first light dawned on the earth, and the birds awoke, and the brave river was heard rippling confidently seaward, and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
As the skies appear to a man, so is his mind. Some see only clouds there; some, prodigies and portents; some rarely… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Talk of mysteries! — Think of our life in nature, — daily to be shown matter, to come in contact with it,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
“And now that we have returned to the desultory life of the plain, let us endeavor to import a little of that… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
We are apt to imagine that this hubbub of Philosophy, Literature, and Religion, which is heard in pulpits, lyceums, and parlors, vibrates… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Nature confounds her summer distinctions at this season. The heavens seem to be nearer the earth. The elements are less reserved and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
They were pleasant spring days, in which the winter of man's discontent was thawing as well as the earth, and the life… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The seeds of the life of fishes are everywhere disseminated, whether the winds waft them, or the waters float them, or the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
There is on the earth no institution which Friendship has established; it is not taught by any religion; no scripture contains itsmaxims.… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I love nature, I love the landscape, because it is so sincere. It never cheats me. It never jests. It is cheerfully,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The purity men love is like the mists which envelope the earth, and not like the azure ether beyond. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
You must love the crust of the earth on which you dwell more than the sweet crust of any bread or cake.… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Christ was a sublime actor on the stage of the world. He knew what he was thinking of when he said, "Heaven… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It is dry, hazy June weather. We are more of the earth, farther from heaven these days. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
This whole earth which we inhabit is but a point in space. How far apart, think you, dwell the most distant inhabitants… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
We now no longer camp as for a night, but have settled down on earth and forgotten 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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
A traveler who looks at things with an impartial eye may see what the oldest inhabitant has not observed. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
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 Image
I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The still youthful energies of the globe have only to be directed in their proper channel. — 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