Character Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“All the moral laws are readily translated into natural philosophy, for often we have only to restore the primitive meaning of thewords by which they are expressed, or to attend to their literal instead of their metaphorical sense. They are already supernatural philosophy.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Walden, 1854
Moral laws become natural philosophy when we interpret words literally, revealing their inherent supernatural nature.
In simple terms: Literal interpretation shows moral laws as natural philosophy.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper meaning beyond metaphor.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
language
interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- theological study
- moral education
- personal reflection
- literary criticism
- academic research
Key Concepts
metaphysics
semantic analysis
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape moral understanding?
- When is metaphor more useful than literal?
A Different Perspective
Literal reading can miss cultural context; metaphor may hold essential insights.
