Another man Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“If I devote myself to other pursuits and contemplations, I must first see, at least, that I do not pursue them sitting upon another man's shoulders. I must get off him first, that he may pursue his contemplations too.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Walden, Henry David Thoreau, 1854
One must free oneself from relying on others' work before seeking personal growth.
In simple terms: Free yourself before you can grow.
Key Takeaway
Release dependence to pursue your own path.
Themes
independence
self‑reliance
personal growth
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career development
- academic study
- creative projects
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
autonomy
ethical responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What dependencies are you overlooking?
- How can you identify when you are standing on someone else’s foundation?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on others can be subtle and hard to detect.
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