Accustomed Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“There is a certain class of unbelievers who sometimes ask me such questions as, if I think that I can live on vegetable food alone; and to strike at the root of the matter at once,--for the root is faith,--I am accustomed to answer such, that I can live on board nails. If they cannot understand that, they cannot understand much that I have to say.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Walden, 1854
Thoreau uses a metaphor of eating nails to illustrate that skeptics cannot grasp his deeper philosophical points.
In simple terms: He says skeptics can't understand his deeper ideas.
Key Takeaway
Clarify your ideas for skeptics.
Themes
philosophy
skepticism
communication
faith
metaphor
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical essay
metaphorical argument
When to use this quote
- debating philosophical ideas
- writing essays
- teaching philosophy
- engaging skeptics in dialogue
- explaining complex concepts
Key Concepts
transcendentalism
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you convey complex ideas more simply?
- What alternative analogies could replace the nail metaphor?
A Different Perspective
Metaphor may be too obscure for some audiences.
