Bedfellows Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“It is worth the while to live respectably unto ourselves. We can possibly get along with a neighbor, even with a bedfellow, whom we respect but very little; but as soon as it comes to this, that we do not respect ourselves, then wedo not get along at all, no matter how much money we are paid for halting.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Civil Disobedience", 1849
Living honorably requires self‑respect; without it, relationships and work become meaningless regardless of pay.
In simple terms: Self‑respect is essential for meaningful life.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑respect before external success.
Themes
integrity
self‑respect
relationships
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- workplace
- family life
- community involvement
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
personal ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does self‑respect look like in daily actions?
- Can you respect others without respecting yourself?
A Different Perspective
Self‑respect alone may not resolve external conflicts.
![“This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at Home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find cold Sheets extreamly disagreeable.” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b92/george-mason-8435_bedfellows_this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young_3953.jpg)
