Seeds, there are seeds enough which need only be stirred in with the soil where they lie, by an inspired voice or… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
There has always been the same amount of light in the world. The new and missing stars, the comets and eclipses, do… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
We are accustomed to say, that the mass of men are unprepared; but improvement is slow, because the few are not materially… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Instead of the scream of a fish hawk scaring the fishes, is heard the whistle of the steam-engine, arousing a country to… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
“The progress from an absolute to a limited monarchy, from a limited monarchy to a democracy, is a progress toward a true… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If we see nature as pausing, immediately all mortifies and decays; but seen as progressing, she is beautiful. — 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
I should say that the useful results of science had accumulated, but that there had been no accumulation of knowledge, strictly speaking,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If we will admit time into our thoughts at all, the mythologies, those vestiges of ancient poems, wrecks of poems, so to… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I had often stood on the banks of the Concord, watching the lapse of the current, an emblem of all progress, following… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
When any real progress is made, we unlearned and learn anew what we thought we knew before. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
How little do the most wonderful inventions of modern times detain us. They insult nature. Every machine, or particular application, seems a… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Let us consider under what disadvantages Science has hitherto labored before we pronounce thus confidently on her progress. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them.… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The nonchalance and dolce-far-niente air of nature and society hint at infinite periods in the progress of mankind. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It is not so important that many should be good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere; for that… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I think the fall from the farmer to the operative as great and memorable as that from the man to the farmer. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The improvements of ages have had but little influence on the essential laws of man's existence: as our skeletons, probably, are not… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I must walk toward Oregon, and not toward Europe. And that way the nation is moving, and I may say that mankind… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable but positive hindrances to our… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
You can hardly convince a man of an error in a lifetime, but must content yourself with the reflection that the progress… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The science of Humboldt is one thing, poetry is another thing. The poet to-day, notwithstanding all the discoveries of science, and the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It will be seen that we contemplate a time when man's will shall be law to the physical world, and he shall… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
As with our colleges, so with a hundred "modern improvements"; there is an illusion about them; there is not always a positive… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
When I go into a museum and see the mummies wrapped in their linen bandages, I see that the lives of men… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
You can hardly convince a man of error in a life-time, but must content yourself with the reflection that the progress of… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Much is said about the progress of science in these centuries. I should say that the useful results of science had accumulated,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If it is asserted that civilization is a real advance in the condition of man,--and I think that it is, though only… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Doubtless, we are as slow to conceive of Paradise as of Heaven, of a perfect natural as of a perfect spiritual world.… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It takes a man of genius to travel in his own country, in his native village; to make any progress between his… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Life is so short that it is not wise to take roundabout ways, nor can we spend much time in waiting… We… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
In a thousand apparently humble ways men busy themselves to make some right take the place of some wrong,--if it is only… — 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
