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 support of the body.”
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.
Prioritize soul‑nurturing activities.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- daily work
- personal reflection
- volunteering
- creative pursuits
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you schedule time for soul‑nurturing?
- What small act feeds your spirit?
Soul work can be harder to quantify than physical labor.