Higher ground Quote by Henry David Thoreau
““All the world complain now a days of a press of trivial duties & engagements which prevents their employing themselves on some higher ground they know of, - but undoubtedly if they were made of the right stuff to work on that higher ground, provided they were released from all those engagements - they would now at once fulfill the superior engagement, and neglect all the rest, as naturally as they breathe. They would never be caught saying that they had no time for this when the dullest man knows that this is all that he has time for.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Civil Disobedience”, 1849, later compilations
People are overwhelmed by trivial duties, preventing higher purpose; freed from obligations, they would pursue higher goals naturally.
In simple terms: Trivial tasks block higher purpose; freedom reveals true calling.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize meaningful pursuits over busywork.
Themes
purpose
productivity
freedom
self-actualization
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative projects
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
time management
intrinsic motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- What higher purpose do you neglect?
- How can you reduce trivial engagements?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone can abandon obligations easily.
![“I think Steve King is absolutely wrong and I just hope that we can try to reach higher ground, because when you are spewing this kind of nonsense, things that Donald Trump says, Ben Carson says, but also [Marco] Rubio and [Ted] Cruz and even Jeb Bush have said.” quote by Steve King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/50e/steve-king-10383_ben-carson_i-think-steve-king-is-absolutely-wrong-a_382550.jpg)
