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Body Quote by Henry David Thoreau

“An ordinary man will work every day for a year at shoveling dirt to support his body, or a family of bodies; but he is an extraordinary man who will work a whole day in a year for the support of his soul. Even the priests, men of God, so called, for the most part confess that they work for the…” quote by Henry David Thoreau
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“An ordinary man will work every day for a year at shoveling dirt to support his body, or a family of bodies; but he is an extraordinary man who will work a whole day in a year for the support of his soul. Even the priests, men of God, so called, for the most part confess that they work for the support of the body.”

Henry David Thoreau

About This Quote

Source Book: Walden, Henry David Thoreau, 1854

Physical labor sustains the body, but dedicating time to nurture the soul yields deeper fulfillment.

In simple terms: Body work vs. soul work.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize soul‑nurturing activities.

Themes

spirituality purpose balance

Mood

contemplative inspired

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • daily work
  • personal reflection
  • volunteering
  • creative pursuits

Key Concepts

Existentialism self‑care

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you schedule time for soul‑nurturing?
  • What small act feeds your spirit?
A Different Perspective

Soul work can be harder to quantify than physical labor.

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