For a companion, I require one who will make an equal demand on me with my own genius. Such a one will… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Cast your whole vote, not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence. A minority is powerless while it conforms to… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If private men are obliged to perform the offices of government, to protect the weak and dispense justice, then the government becomes… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If you're familiar with a principle you don't have to be familiar with all of its applications. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If I shall sell both my forenoons and afternoons to society, as most appear to do, I'm sure that, for me, there… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
What is chastity? How shall a man know if he is chaste? He shall not know it. We have heard of this… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
No man's thoughts are new, but the style of their expression is the never-failing novelty which cheers and refreshes men. If we… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment. [Like they say, 'Every cloud has a… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The frontiers are not east or west, north or south; but wherever a man fronts a fact, though that fact be a… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Nature is a greater and more perfect art, the art of God; though, referred to herself, she is genius; and there is… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If we live in the Nineteenth Century, why should we not enjoy the advantages which the Nineteenth Century offers? Why should our… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If one hesitates in his path, let him not proceed. Let him respect his doubts, for doubts, too, may have some divinity… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The life of a good man will hardly improve us more than the life of a freebooter, for the inevitable laws appear… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Tom Hyde, the tinker, standing on the gallows, was asked if he had anything to say. "Tell the tailors," said he, "to… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It would be worth the while if in each town there were a committee appointed to see that the beauty of the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
When it was proposed to me to go abroad, rub oft some rust, and better my condition in a worldly sense, I… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Probably if our lives were more conformed to nature, we should not need to defend ourselves against her heats and colds, but… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
We are often struck by the force and precision of style to which hard-working men, unpracticed in writing, easily attain when required… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Impulse is, after all, the best linguist; its logic, if not conformable to Aristotle, cannot fail to be most convincing. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Many a poor sore-eyed student that I have heard of would grow faster, both intellectually and physically, if, instead of sitting up… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
To anticipate, not the sunrise and the dawn merely, but, if possible, Nature herself! How many mornings, summer and winter, before yet… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Our own country furnishes antiquities as ancient and durable, and as useful, as any; rocks at least as well covered with lichens,and… — 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
If common sense had been consulted, how many marriages would never have taken place; if uncommon or divine sense, how few marriages… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
A simple woman down in Tyngsborough, at whose house I once stopped to get a draught of water, when I said, recognizing… — 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
